Johnny Depp says: he has no ‘further need for Hollywood’ At Cannes Film Festival 2023
France (NNews): Johnny Depp, who recently premiered his first film in three years at the Cannes Film Festival, declared that he has no further interest in Hollywood. Following the screening of “Jeanne du Barry,” where Depp portrays King Louis XV, the actor made a rare public appearance and addressed the press. The French film, directed by and starring Maïwenn, marks Depp’s return to the big screen after a legal battle with his ex-wife, Amber Heard, in which he was largely vindicated.
During the 2022 defamation trial, Depp claimed that Heard’s allegations had cost him work opportunities. The jury sided with Depp and ordered Heard to pay him $10 million in damages, while she was awarded $2 million. Reflecting on his experiences, Depp expressed feeling boycotted by Hollywood and emphasized that he no longer feels the need for the industry.
Depp notably departed from the “Fantastic Beasts” franchise after being asked to step down. However, he now asserts that he has no interest in participating in studio projects again. He stated that he doesn’t think about Hollywood and feels detached from it. Depp characterized the current atmosphere in the industry as a time where individuals cannot freely express themselves and are compelled to conform.
“Jeanne du Barry” premiered in French cinemas on Tuesday but is yet to secure U.S. distribution. The press conference for the film at Cannes was marked by its circus-like atmosphere, commencing late and initially lacking Depp’s presence. However, he eventually arrived and took the spotlight, dismissing much of what has been written about him in recent years as fictional and poorly crafted.
Critics have debated whether Cannes should have given Depp such a prominent platform. In response, Depp likened the criticism to a scenario where 39 people watching him eat a Big Mac on a loop would result in him being banned from McDonald’s for life. He questioned the identity and relevance of those who seek to restrict him.
Depp humorously addressed the notion of comebacks, pointing out that he never disappeared and continues to live nearby. He attributed the lack of calls from the industry to the fears prevalent at the time but stated that he didn’t go anywhere.
