Official Alice in Wonderland Character Photos!

This is why I love Tim Burton and Johnny Depp! Several quality photos have been released for Burton’s upcoming take on the classic children’s tale Alice in Wonderland. As you can see in the miniature photos above three of the main character’s have taken front and center. Depp as the Mad Hatter, Helena Bonham Carter as The Red Queen, and Anne Hathaway as The White Queen. We also have a photo of Tweedledee and Tweedledum as portrayed by British comedian Matt Lucas. USAToday recently ran a feature where they debuted the images and an interview from the film’s producer Richard Zanuck who says the story has been officially ”Burton-ized.”

Check out the full sized photos after the jump.

Tim Burton is known for his Gothic inspired films and Alice in Wonderland in no different. Zanuck went on to say that his interpretation is pretty dark, but then again so was the original story.

There is the usual Burton-esque ghoulishness (Helena Bonham Carter’s Red Queen, whose favorite retort is “Off with their heads,” has a moat filled with bobbing noggins), but Zanuck assures most kids can handle it. “The book itself is pretty dark,” he notes. “This is for little people and people who read it when they were little 50 years ago.”

The film was shot in 40 days and they are beginning to merge the live action with the CG and motion capture footage. I’m more than just a little excited about this. As usual Depp decides not to trade in on his good looks but his talent, by creating a character who Zanuck says is “Off his rocker.” His eyes, his pale face, his infamous hat all scream terrifying but watchable. Anne Hathaway looks stunning as the White Queen, and Bonham Carter looks devilish just as The Red Queen should.

Alice in Wonderland is scheduled for release on March 5, 2010, and will be available in 2D as well as Disney Digital 3-D.

What do you think about the first official set of character photos from Alice in Wonderland?