Johnny Depp nearly missed out on landing the lead role in cult movie Edward Scissorhands, because studio bosses originally wanted Tom Cruise as the star.

Depp shot to fame when he landed the title role in Tim Burton's 1991 fantasy epic, but insists producers were determined to cast A-list actor Cruise in the role.

The 44-year-old was a relative unknown at the time and admits he desperately wanted the job - but he was only hired after the team began to question Cruise's suitability for such an edgy project.

He says: "They (movie bosses) were interested in me for the part, but had someone else in mind too. A few days later, they called me to say the studio preferred the other actor.

"(It was) Tom Cruise. I was really disappointed. From the moment I read the script, I knew I had to be in it. But I understood that the studio wanted a box office superstar.

"Then a miracle happened. My agent called to say they wanted me instead."