LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 15: Johnny Depp attends the UK Premiere of "Jeanne Du Barry" at The Curzon ... [+]
Johnny Depp has some choice words about studio executives as his indie film Jeanne du Barry — his first feature in four years — heads into U.S. theaters.
Directed by French film star Maïwenn, Jeanne du Barry recounts the historical tale of King Louis XV (Depp) and his relationship with a commoner, Jeanne (Maïwenn) — who is the monarch’s last mistress. The film, which made its debut at the Cannes Film Festival in 2023, opens domestically on May 2.
Depp's last film role was in the 2020 indie drama Minamata. Since then his acting career has been on hold amid civil defamation proceedings with his ex-wife Amber Heard.
Before that, Depp, of course, starred in such movie franchises as the Pirates of the Caribbean and Fantastic Beast movie sagas. But as allegations surrounding his private life came into focus, the actor was all but abandoned by Hollywood.
Or, as Depp told Metro in an April 19 interview, “They threw me in the bin.”
With the feeling of abandonment, however, Depp has apparently won the freedom to speak his feelings about studio executives.
‘They’re disposable and they realize it,” Depp told Metro. “Glorified accountants who have the ability to press the green light and make studio films … but they press the green light, they spent s—tloads of money. Budgets are ridiculous on these films … some romantic comedy with two very popular people. People – the real people – they’re sick of it.”
On the contrary, Depp noted that he wants to give audiences something different.
“They don’t want to be fed dreck. They’re happy when they experience something new or different,” Depp told Metro. “So that’s why I’ve always felt, as an actor, it’s your responsibility. When you come out of the gate each time … you’re putting as much at stake as anybody.”
Depp Spoke Of His Estrangement From Hollywood At Cannes In 2023
Johnny Depp made himself available at a press conference for Jeanne du Barry when it made its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in France in May of 2023.
During the press conference (via The Times and Sunday Times), Depp questioned why reporters were calling Jeanne du Barry a “comeback” movie.
“I keep wondering about the word ‘comeback’ because I didn’t go anywhere. Matter of fact, I live about 45 minutes away,” Depp told reporters at the Cannes 2023 press conference. “So maybe people stopped calling out of whatever their fear was at the time, but no I didn’t go nowhere. I’ve been sitting around.”
CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 17: Johnny Depp and Maiwenn attend the "Jeanne du Barry" photocall at the 76th ... [+]
As for Hollywood, Depp made some pointed observations about Tinseltown and his future in it.
“I don’t have much further need for Hollywood myself. I don’t know how you guys feel,” Depp told reporters at the Cannes press conference. “But I feel it’s a very strange, funny time where everybody would love to be able to be themselves but they can’t because they must fall in line with the person in front of them. [If] you want to live that kind of life, I wish you the best.”
In the meantime, while his Jeanne du Barry director Maïwenn beats back a report that she said mischaracterizes Depp, the actor said he was delighted that the director called him to be in the film in the first place.
“I was in the trenches with Maïwenn and the rest of the crew,’ Depp told Metro UK. “I did the best I could. I did what I felt was right for the character, and for the story and for Maïwenn. So if it works, I’m a lucky motherf—ker, really lucky.”
And — at the opening of his interview — Depp noted that he’s been grateful for everything he’s accomplished.
‘I’ve been very lucky and I can’t complain about anything,” Depp told Metro. “None of it. I won’t.”
Jeanne du Barry, which is being distributed by Vertical Entertainment, opens in U.S. theaters on May 2.
