Wax Johnny Depp steals the Hollywood spotlight in Surfers Paradise as the real actor returns

HOLLYWOOD superstar Johnny Depp got a red-carpet welcome as he stood under the iconic Surfers Paradise sign just a day after he returned to the Gold Coast.

HOLLYWOOD superstar Johnny Depp was given a red-carpet welcome as he stood under the iconic Surfers Paradise sign just a day after he returned to the Gold Coast.

But all was not quite as it seemed, with the man under Captain Jack Sparrow’s famous red bandanna just a statue.

GALLERY: PIRATES ON THE GOLD COAST

PIRATES: DEPP’S BACK ON THE COAST

Far from the Helensvale set of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, the doppelganger Depp made his first appearance in Cavill Mall before becoming a permanent part of the Gold Coast Wax Museum’s collection.

Operator Peter Tomlinson said the dummy had been created using Hollywood magic in the UK before arriving in Australia just before the real thing.

“I guess the real Johnny must have heard our pirate was coming here and wanted to get back quickly,” he said.

The Surfers Paradise Wax Museum’s Johnny Depp

“The wax Johnny has proved to be a big hit and everyone who saw it seemed to love him.

“I think a few people did a double take when they saw him because it looks so lifelike which we are excited for it.”

Mr Tomlinson said the fake Depp would be the centrepiece of a new display which will remain in place until at least mid-2017 when Pirates of the Caribbean is released in cinemas.

Among those caught by surprise was Surfers Paradise resident Sam Dmaro.

The longtime local said he was amused by the pirate dummy.

“I have seen the real fellow on TV so it was pretty funny to see something that looks like him here,” he said.

... and the real Captain Jack.

“Surfers Paradise is the kind of place where you do see interesting things.”

Depp, along with wife Amber Heard, returned to Australia on Tuesday after six weeks to work on the $250 million Walt Disney-Jerry Bruckheimer co-production.

His return was welcome news for the 200 crew members were had been stood down without pay when filming ground to a halt because the film’s star was missing in action.

Super producer Bruckheimer yesterday tweeted the first still photo from the new film, jokingly referring to Depp’s near-six week absence.

The picture, showing Sparrow tied to a ship’s mast, bore the caption “Captain Jack is back and we’re not letting him go”.

The picture was subsequently retweeted more than 2400 times.

Jerry Bruckheimer sent a tweet joking that his star Johnny Depp has finally returned to the Gold Coast for shooting and will not let him go. Photo Instagram

Originally published as Wax Johnny Depp steals the Hollywood spotlight in Surfers Paradise as the real actor returns