Disney

“Alice Through the Looking Glass” has all The Playing Cards stacked against it as the Disney sequel seeks to hold onto its head through Memorial Day weekend.

Heading into its domestic debut, the outlook already didn’t look great for the film as critics lambasted it and early tracking set it up for a weak debut. But when news broke of domestic abuse charges filed against star Johnny Depp — just days before “Alice” opened in theaters — the timing couldn’t have been worse.

The film brought in an estimated $28.1 million through Sunday, making it an all out bomb.

Also Read: Johnny Depp's Lawyer Says Amber Heard Is Claiming Abuse to Score 'Premature' Payday

It had been tracking to debut at around $70 million, once Monday’s holiday numbers come in. The studio, however, predicted a more conservative $60 million to $63 million. But now, with the weekend’s weak returns, onlookers are saying that Disney will be lucky to make $40 million.

That would be only a third of the $116 million the original, “Alice in Wonderland,” made when it opened in 2010.

While the abuse scandal can’t help, experts say audiences simply aren’t responding to the movie itself.

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“The personal life drama or controversies of the talent involved [in a film] — no matter how unfortunate — historically has had no discernible or measurable effect on box office,” Paul Dergarabedian, senior analyst at ComScore, told TheWrap. “Generally, audiences base their moviegoing decisions on its inherent appeal and the effectiveness of the marketing campaign.”

One example of a film flourishing in spite of a scandal is “X-Men: Days of Future Past,” which made $110.6 million when it debuted in 2014 — while director Bryan Singer was fending off sexual assault allegations. (Charges against him were eventually dismissed.)

Also Read: See Amber Heard's Evidence Against Johnny Depp in Domestic Violence Claim (Photos)

“I personally don’t think that the allegations against Depp hurt the movie, more his social perception,” an industry insider told TheWrap. “It was just a slow weekend all around.”

Depp has always had trouble bringing in box office dollars, noted Jeff Bock, senior analyst at Exhibitor Relations. “Outside of ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ and his collaborations with Tim Burton, Johnny Depp has always had a tough go at the box office,” he told TheWrap. “What really hurt ‘Alice Through the Looking Glass’ was the fact that Disney thought it had a summer blockbuster instead of what it really was — a spring fling.”

There is one possible bright spot for Depp, though. His ex, Vanessa Paradis, has reportedly penned a letter in his defense after the movie star’s wife, Amber Heard, made the allegations. “In all these years I have known Johnny he has never been physically abusive with me and this looks nothing like the man I lived with for 14 wonderful years,” the letter reads.

Johnny Depp's Many Movie Faces: From Jack Sparrow to the Mad Hatter (Photos)

There are few actors in Hollywood today who have spent as many hours in the makeup and hair trailer as Johnny Depp. He's taken on so many roles that require heavy work on his face that he has taken to sleeping in full makeup instead of having it redone every morning. Here's some of the most outlandish looks Depp has sported onscreen.
Depp's first makeup-intensive role came in 1990 with "Edward Scissorhands," which earned him a Golden Globe nomination. Stan Winston, the VFX artist who designed the hands Depp wore in the film, got an Oscar nomination for his work.
20th Century Fox
A decade later, Depp played two roles in the LGBT drama "Before Night Falls." One was as the military officer Lt. Victor. The other was the flamboyant transvestite Bon Bon, who struts and poses his way through Fidel Castro's prison filled with political dissidents.
Fine Line Features
Depp's famous performance as Raoul Duke in "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" didn't require much makeup, but Depp did have Hunter S. Thompson shave his head to match the writer's male pattern baldness.

Universal
Undoubtedly, Depp's most famous role is Captain Jack Sparrow in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" films, which earned him his first Oscar nomination. The film also received a nomination for the makeup work that gave Sparrow his tanned, sea-weathered look.
Disney
Depp's makeup took a turn for the gross in 2004 with "The Libertine." In it, he plays the cocky, womanizing Earl of Rochester, who finds his pride and life cut down quickly when he contracts syphilis, for which Depp wore increasing levels of makeup to show the disease's effects.
The Weinstein Company
For his polarizing performance as Willy Wonka in "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," Depp took on a pale, almost plastic appearance to emphasize the candy maker's reclusive, eccentric nature after spending years cut off from the world in his factory.
Warner Bros.
Depp got his third Oscar nomination from his performance as Sweeney Todd, where he took on a deathly pale complexion and swept-back hairstyle as he slit throats as the Demon Barber of Fleet Street.
Warner Bros.
Depp was the center of controversy when he played the Native American Tonto in "The Lone Ranger," but the film did get an Oscar nomination for the makeup work that gave Tonto his intricate face paint and headdress.
Disney
He was better received in the film "Into The Woods," where he played the Big Bad Wolf with a costume inspired by Tex Avery's famous cartoons.
Disney
To play the infamous Boston gangster Whitey Bulger in "Black Mass," Depp went through over two hours of makeup to get his gaunt face and slicked-back hair.
Warner Bros.
Arguably Depp's creepiest makeup job came when he mocked Donald Trump in a parody video for Funny or Die ... though it wasn't as creepy as the video that showed him removing all that makeup from his face.
Funny or Die
Now Depp is returning to his role as the Mad Hatter in "Alice Through the Looking Glass," which he first played back in 2010. Depp turned up the ridiculousness with this role, sporting clown makeup, colored contacts, crazy wigs, eyebrow extensions, elaborate outfits, and of course, the 10/6 top hat.
Disney

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The character actor has built a career through roles that require many hours in the makeup trailer

There are few actors in Hollywood today who have spent as many hours in the makeup and hair trailer as Johnny Depp. He's taken on so many roles that require heavy work on his face that he has taken to sleeping in full makeup instead of having it redone every morning. Here's some of the most outlandish looks Depp has sported onscreen.

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