When Brian Selznick's The Invention Of Hugo Cabret was released early in 2007 no one really had any idea what to make of it. At more than five hundred pages, it appeared a behemoth for young readers, but more than half of those pages turned out to be fascinating and detailed drawings. It went on to win the Caldecott Medal in 2008 and was quickly purchased by Martin Scorsese for a future film adaptation. Now that movie has begun shooting, and like the novel, no one has any idea what to expect, especially after the first set photo hit the internet today.

Johnny Depp has been attached as a producer on the project for awhile but most assumed his involvement would be entirely behind the camera. Not the case. This first picture, originally published in Le Parisien, depicts Depp as M. Rouleau, along with rising star Chloe Moretz as Isabella and Asa Butterfield as Hugo. Take a look…



How were we all duped into thinking Depp wouldn't appear in this? Hugo Cabret's bizarre subject matter has his footprints all over it. I still haven't read the novel, but my girlfriend, a children's librarian, has assured me it's wonderful. In addition to those pictured, Jude Law, Ben Kingsley, Sacha Baron Cohen and a slew of others are officially signed on in some capacity as well.

Rumor has it Scorsese is going all out with the 3D; so, expect the finished product to be a marvel on the eyes rather than an extra dimension cash grab to steal a few more dollars per ticket.