Howard Hughes the inspiration for Willy Wonka says Depp

NEW YORK - Johnny Depp says his portrayal of Willy Wonka is loosely based on eccentric billionaire Howard Hughes, not fallen pop star Michael Jackson.

The Hollywood star, who often draws inspiration from famous figures for his roles, is mystified by speculation he mimics Jackson in the new re-make of author Roald Dahl's classic, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Depp says anyone who believes there is a Jackson connection is simply "wrong".

"The weird thing is that never occurred to me that there would be any kind of potential connection to Michael Jackson," Depp told reporters while promoting the film.

"It never entered my mind."

Speculation about a potential link with Jackson began when promotional photos of Depp dressed up as Wonka began appearing in the media.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory opens in Australia September 1.

Depp's Wonka has long dark hair, wears Jackson-esque suits and his face is caked in thick white make-up.

Depp also gives Wonka, the reclusive owner of a chocolate bar factory, a creepy personality.

"I still don't quite understand it," Depp said of the Jackson speculation.

"I guess you can on one level with make-up and the children and sort of fantasy land kind of thing, but it seems weird to me."

In the film Wonka holds a competition, hiding five golden tickets in chocolate bars made at his mysterious factory.

The five winners are invited for a tour of the factory.

Depp was nominated for an Oscar in 2003 for playing dizzy rogue pirate Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl.

Depp openly admitted to basing the character on Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards, so speculation was rife about Depp's Willy Wonka.

"I would say if there is anyone to compare it to it would be like a Howard Hughes -- reclusive, germaphobe, controlling," Depp said.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory director Tim Burton was more matter-of-fact about the gossip.

At a recent press conference for the film, Burton came prepared for the inevitable question.

"You really think that Johnny looks like this?" Burton said after pulling a photo of Jackson out of his back pocket.

"Do you really think so?

"Do you really think he looks like this?"

Burton said Depp's Wonka was a polar opposite to Jackson.

"I always laugh about that because to me there is like a night and day difference," Burton, who also directed Depp in Edward Scissorhands and Sleepy Hollow, said.

"Michael Jackson likes children and Willy Wonka can't stand children.

"To me there is absolutely no connection as far as my mind goes with that so it strikes me as funny."

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory producer Richard D Zanuck also tossed cold water on the speculation and had a simple answer to the pale look of Depp's reclusive Wonka.

"He's been in a factory for 20 years," Zanuck said.

- AAP