It took three actors to fill in for the late Heath Ledger in The Imaginarium of Doctor Pernassus after his untimely death last January. Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell stepped up at the request of Director Terry Gilliam to finish what would surely have been a shelved project had they not said yes.

Now, Johnny Depp and Jude Law have released the following statements regarding their involvement with Terry Gilliam’s epic fantasy film.

JOHNNY DEPP

“Maestro Gilliam has made a sublime film.  Wonderfully enchanting and beautiful, ‘The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus ‘ is a uniquely ingenious, captivating creation; by turns wild, thrilling and hilarious in all its crazed, dilapidated majesty.  Pure Gilliam magic!!! 

It was an honor to represent Heath.  He was the only player out there breathing heavy down the back of every established actors neck with a thundering and ungovernable talent that came up on you quick, hissing rather mischievously with that cheeky grin, “hey… get on out of my way boys, i’m coming through…”  and does he ever!!!  Heath is a marvel, Christopher Plummer beyond anything he’s ever done, Waits as the Devil is a God, Lily Cole and Andrew Garfield, the very foundation, are spectacular, Verne Troyer simply kicks ass and as for my other cohorts, Colin Farrell and Jude Law, they most certainly did Master Ledger very proud, I salute them. 

Though the circumstances of my involvement are extremely heart-rending and unbelievably sad, I feel privileged to have been asked aboard to stand in on behalf of dear Heath.”

JUDE LAW

“I have always loved Terry Gilliam’s films.  Their heart, their soul, their mind, always inventive, touching, funny and relevant.  When I got the call, it was a double tug.  I liked Heath very much as a man and admired him as an actor.  To help finish his final piece of work was a tribute I felt compelled to make.  To help Terry finish his film was an honour paid to a man I adore.  I had a great time on the job.  Though we were all there in remembrance, Heath’s heart pushed us with great lightness to the finish.”

The Imaginarium of Doctor Pernassus is currently in theaters.