Kate Winslet and Johnny Depp
July 31, 2002

New film Neverland proves to be a walk in the park – Hyde Park – for its stars

There was a curious mix of period costumes and modern-day garb on view as Kate Winslet and Johnny Depp filmed their latest movie, Neverland, in London’s famous Hyde Park. With a multitude of film production staff buzzing around, plentiful sunshine and three little boys playing happily with Johnny Depp in between takes, it looked more like a fun day at the park than hard work.

  

Like her friend Emma Thompson before her, actress Kate Winslet is developing a reputation as a period drama specialist. Her new film, Neverland, which is based on the often-traumatic life of Peter Pan author JM Barrie, is set at the turn of the 20th Century.

Kate Winslet, wearing a long skirt and white blouse under a cream jacket, looked on as Johnny played with the boys, perhaps missing her little daughter, Mia, whom she often brings onto the set. In between takes, Kate, who has been dating acclaimed director Sam Mendes for eight months, took contemplative strolls around the park before returning to resume the family picnic scenes.

In the film, Johnny plays Scottish writer James Matthew Barrie – who is most famous as the author of children’s classic Peter Pan – who grows close to Kate’s character, Sylvia Llewelyn Davies, a widowed mother of four boys who meet Barrie by chance in Kensington Gardens at the turn of the 20th Century. The film is expected to depict the author’s somewhat tragic life and the less-than-healthy obsession with Sylvia’s children.

      

During a scene in which their characters enjoy a picnic, Kate and Johhny seemed completely at ease with their screen children. Off screen they are both devoted parents, and Kate takes her daughter, Mia, to work with her as often as she can. And while the whole world may know them as famous film stars, to their children they’re just mummy and daddy.

This scene from the film, which began shooting in June, shows James and Sylvia enjoying a picnic, with James later teaching the boys how to fly a kite.

Johnny was evidently a natural with the boys, both on and off camera, which may have something to do with the fact that he is himself a father. The 39-year-old Paris-based actor has two children with his wife, actress and singer Vanessa Paradis. Coincidentally, his former long-term girlfriend, Kate Moss, is also expecting her first baby, with partner Jefferson Hack.

Kate’s role as Sylvia in Neverland is not too dissimilar from her own circumstances, in that she has had to introduce her beloved little girl, Mia, to the new man in her life. Kate is rarely photographed out and about without 22-month-old Mia, who is the product of her marriage to Jim Threapleton. Mia has had to adapt to Sam Mendes becoming more of a permanent fixture in her mother’s life.

Kate and Sam suffered a setback recently, when they were reportedly told they could not buy their dream £1.8 million loft apartment in New York. Neighbours deemed them ‘too famous’ to live there and feared the building would become a target for crazed fans.

  

Neverland is due for release next year and the critics are tipping it for great things, not least because of its formidable cast – Dustin Hoffman and Julie Christie both have supporting roles.

The couple have denied rumours that their relationship is on the rocks and are said to be very much in love. Kate said earlier this year: ‘We’re very happy, unbelievably happy.’

Source: OK! Magazine, Scans and text thanks to Allan!