You wouldn’t think we’d just hit you up with a photo of Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter and leave it at that, did you? Director Tim Burton has just released the teaser trailer to his upcoming take on Alice In Wonderland — and it’s about as trippy as one would expect. The environments in particular look colorfully stunning. Hit play below to jump down the hole:

The only thing particularly green about this photo is the background, but I wanted to throw it up there anyways since Johnny Depp’s take on the Mad Hatter looks brilliant. As you’ve probably guessed, this one of the first promo shots for Tim Burton’s trippy take on Alice In Wonderland. After seeing what Depp looks like, would you want to take a fall down this rabbit hole?

Being a journalist can definitely sometimes carry heavy perks — such as when Johnny Depp invites you to tag along on his yacht and visit his private island getaway. Vanity Fair contributing editor Douglas Brinkley was given such an opportunity recently and came away from the experience saying “it was pretty damn great”. No kidding.

As we’ve previously profiled, Depp bought the 35-acre island back in 2005 and affectionately named it “F**k Off! Island” — though it’s officially known as “Little Hall’s Pond Cay”. The actor has aspirations to make the living conditions on the island as green as possible — and has even commissioned a grid-independent solar hydrogen system from Mike Strizki.

In the article, Depp says “I don’t think I’d ever seen any place so pure and beautiful. You can feel your pulse rate drop about 20 beats. It’s instant freedom.” The issue hits newstands June 3rd. For a preview, jump here.

Johnny Depp has teamed up with the Environmental Justice Foundation’s “Save The Sea” campaign to help stop illegal pirate fishing. In a letter in support of EJF, he decries the plundering and urges action before its too late.

Depp says “Our seas and the people that depend upon them are facing a critical threat. Pirate fishing operations are plundering fish stocks the world over, which in turn undermine all attempts at their sustainable management, already under pressure from widespread misdirection. The devastating impact of this illegal form of fishing is felt not only by our marine ecosystems, but also by the millions of people living in some of the world’s poorest countries who rely on healthy fish stocks as an essential source of both food and employment.”

“This is not a problem without cure, but we have to act now if we are to protect our marine-life’s biodiversity and food security for future generations. It is more important than you, or any of us, can at this moment even begin to understand. That is why I support the work of the Environmental Justice Foundation to raise awareness and provide ‘real-world’ solutions to the issue. Their efforts to engage in effective action to protect both people and planet will help to bring an end to pirate fishing, once and for all.”

Well said, Captain Jack! To find out more about illegal pirate fishing, visit the official EJF website here.

Photos credit: PR Photos

Called “The second annual Sheila Witkin Memorial Reunion Concert”, the benefit honored The Kids’ late manager. All of the money raise will go towards the Dan Marino Foundation, which funds programs for children with special needs.

Depp originally joined the band when he was a high school student in Florida. After their bid to grab a record deal fell through, Depp dropped out and decided to pursue a career in actor. And the rest they say, is history.

Many of you may know that Heath Ledger’s will had not been updated since the birth of Matilda, his beloved daughter with actress Michelle Williams. Upon hearing this news, fellow actors Johnny Depp, Jude Law, and Colin Farrell, who all played Ledger’s character in The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus, the film he’d been working on before his death, decided to donate their fees to the two-and-a-half-year-old.

“They didn’t take the money–it goes to Heath’s daughter. That’s extraordinary! And wonderful…and when you’re part of that, you think, ‘Ah, this is maybe why I went into the movies in the beginning. I thought it would be full of wonderful people.’ And we’ve got a movie full of wonderful people who did extraordinary things to help,” says director Terry Gilliam.

Terry, though I’d say your comments contain a small yet obvious plug for your film… you’re absolutely right.

Buried in an article over on Huffington Post regarding carbon-free fuel is an interesting reveal that actor Johnny Depp is planning on converting his island home to run on solar hydrogen technology.

Back in 2005, Depp bought the the 35-acre island (which he affectionately calls “F*ck Off Island”) in the Bahamas for around $3m after being inspired by what friend Marlon Brando had done with his own Tahitian paradise. In an interview with the Guardian, the actor recalled his conversation with the late Brando,

“Depp said, ‘Hey, man, I found this thing, this island!’ Brando said, ‘Well, what’s the elevation? Do you have a water system there? What about the electricity?’

Several years later, it appears that Depp is finally getting serious about emulating Brando’s earth-friendly tech elements. According to Peter Hoffmann, the Pirates of the Carribean star is third in line to receive a grid-independent solar hydrogen system from Mike Strizki. The inventor created the nation’s first solar-hydrogen house in New Jersey — without sacrificing any of the amenities included in his 3,500 square-foot home. You can check out a video of his system here.

Depending on the size of Depp’s home on the island, the cost is expected to run between $250,000-$500,000 — which, for someone with an island, isn’t a bad deal for unlimited, clean energy.

Another interesting trend are famous folk offering retreats to those celebs in need. Last month, it was Mel Gibson giving Britney Spears some time at his ranch in Costa Rica. This time, Johnny Depp has offered Lindsay Lohan free use of his island in the Caribbean. The location, appropriately called “F**k Off Island”, is a perfect, secluded, paradise — something Depp believes Lohan could use for a break. [Read More...]

Rocker Bruce Springsteen offered Discovery Exec David Zaslav some brand-building advice for the network while over dinner recently. The boss apparently told Zaslav that he needs to “make people fall in love” — much in the way that the Planet Earth series made people love the planet more. He said that’s exactly what he tries to do with every song he creates. Hey, if it works for him, lets hope Planet Green gets people swooning. [Read More...]

Ludacris and Tommy Lee have created a hilarious trailer for their Battleground Earth series. Jump to it here. 

When everyone gathers for the family reunion sometime this summer, don’t let your ass clown younger cousin steal all the glory by announcing he’s sold yet another internet company for millions! Instead, gather the glory and admiration of others for yourself by casually dropping that you’re exhausted from shooting a scene with Johnny Depp in his latest movie. Yes, it’s yet another charity auction to star as a featured extra with Depp in his latest film Public Enemies. You know what to do. Go grab your 15 minutes and bid here. [via theseboots]

Like it or not, at least the money Brad and Angelina command for exclusive baby photos goes towards charity. The other end of the spectrum features money-grubbing slimeballs with nothing but personal gain on the mind.

The BBC is launching a new ethical fashion magazine, Threads– but no flaps over whether its printed using recycled paper or not, since this one is completely virtual. The editors intend to “cover a range of issues from the environmental footprint of clothing manufacture, to the impact of the fashion industry on human and animal rights.” [Get your virtual insanity on here]

What’s Terry O’Quinn, who plays John Locke on ABC’s hit series LOST, going to do to make his life greener? “I am eliminating disposable plastic from my life starting with grocery bags and packaging.” Good on ya, Terry. If you’re anything like your character, you should be able to weave up some natural bags in a jiff. [via Hawaii Health Guide]

Johnny Depp and Snoop Dogg are joining forces with Harrison Ford, Fifty Cent, R&B singer Truth Hurts, and several politicians to appeal for the release of Lolita the killer whale. Currently, Lolita is being held in the Miami Seaquarium where she has been performing for about 37 years. She is now is 20 feet long, weighs 7,000 pounds, and lives in a tank that measures 80 feet across at its widest and 20 feet deep. Howard Garrett, who with Susan Berta founded the Orca Network are the organized force behind the freedom rally. From the article,

“Newsweek says Levy is working on a benefit concert that would support the Lolita movement. ‘This beautiful animal does not deserve to die in a stinky little tank, and we are not going to take less than a full victory,’ Levy told Newsweek. Garrett said it’s too early to announce any particular concert plans but admitted that ‘we’re working on it. Momentum is building,’ he said. ‘A publicity campaign is in the works being directed by people in Hollywood.’”

Organizers say that Lolita’s best chance at survival would be in the waters of San Juan Island’s Kanaka Bay, which was used to hold killer whales during the roundup days of the 1970s. She could stay with her trainers and staff from Seaquarium before acclimating and venturing off on her own. Garrett discredits those who believe she’s too tame to return to the wild saying, “The idea that she’s habituated, that she’d be totally out of her element if she were brought back, ignores the intelligence of the species and their family bonding for life.”