Though Burton was unfamiliar with Johnny Depp's then-popular performance in "21 Jump Street", he had always been Burton's first choice. At the time of his casting, Depp was wanting to break out of the teen idol status which his performance in "21 Jump Street" had afforded him. When he was sent the script, Depp "wept like a newborn" and immediately found personal and emotional connections with the story. In preparation for the role, Depp watched many Charlie Chaplin films to study the idea of creating sympathy without dialogue. Fox studio executives were so worried about Edward's image, that they tried to keep pictures of Depp in full costume under wraps until release of the film. Burton approached Ryder for the role of Kim Boggs based on their positive working experience in "Beetlejuice". Drew Barrymore previously auditioned for the role. Crispin Glover auditioned for the role of Jim before Anthony Michael Hall was cast.