Hunter Thompson's ashes to be blasted from cannon

ASPEN, Colo. Gonzo journalist Hunter Thompson will get his wish in the afterlife. His friends and family are getting ready to fire his cremated remains out of a cannon.

Plans call for Thompson's ashes to be shot into the Colorado sky on August 20th from a cannon installed on a 150-foot tower during a private event behind his home in Woody Creek.

The 67-year-old Thompson committed suicide at his home on February 20th after a battle with failing health.

Johnny Depp -- who portrayed Thompson in the film version of his book "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas -- has hired a party planner to oversee the event.

He tells A-P Television News that Depp was a "hero" to him, and one of his best friends. He says, "All I'm doing is trying to make sure his last wish comes true."