Actually, Johnny Depp did recommend Freddie. Here's a bit from the wiki article on Finding Neverland.
"Highmore's performance in this movie led Johnny Depp to suggest him to Tim Burton for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, in which Highmore played Charlie Bucket and Depp played Willy Wonka."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finding_Neverland
And yes, Freddie is magnificent in everything he's in.