Johnny Depp Turns His Back On Hollywood

Knowledge Nuggets:

• Actor Johnny Depp, appearing at the Cannes Film Festival, declared that he has “no further need” for Hollywood.
• The statement followed the premiere of “Jeanne du Barry,” his first film in three years where he portrays King Louis XV.
• This marks Depp’s return to the screen after a 2022 defamation trial against his ex-wife, Amber Heard, which ended in his favor. Heard was ordered to pay Depp $10 million in damages.
• Depp, who was previously asked to resign from the “Fantastic Beasts” franchise, stated that he now lacks interest in returning to studio projects.
• There has been controversy surrounding Depp’s prominent appearance at Cannes, given his recent history.

Johnny Depp made a rare public appearance at the Cannes Film Festival, following the premiere of his latest film, “Jeanne du Barry.” The actor made headlines by stating he has “no further need” for Hollywood.

This assertion follows a turbulent period for Depp, marked by legal disputes and allegations of domestic abuse by his ex-wife, Amber Heard.

In “Jeanne du Barry,” Depp takes on the role of King Louis XV, marking his first appearance on the big screen since his 2022 defamation trial against Heard. In this legal battle, the jury largely sided with Depp, vindicating his claim that Heard had falsely accused him of abuse. Consequently, Heard was ordered to pay $10 million in damages to Depp.

The fallout from these allegations previously saw Depp being asked to step down from the “Fantastic Beasts” franchise. However, the actor seems to have shifted his perspective on Hollywood. Depp stated, “I don’t feel boycotted by Hollywood, because I don’t think about Hollywood. I don’t have much further need for Hollywood, myself.”

Depp’s appearance at the “Jeanne du Barry” press conference drew significant attention, with the actor arriving 20 minutes into the event and quickly taking the spotlight. He went on to describe much of what has been written about him in recent years as “fantastically, horrifically written fiction.”

Despite Depp’s return to the film industry, some critics have questioned whether Cannes should have offered such a significant platform to the actor, considering his recent past. Responding to these critics, Depp likened the scenario to being barred from McDonald’s due to a handful of disapproving spectators.

The release of “Jeanne du Barry,” which debuted on Tuesday in French cinemas, doesn’t currently have U.S. distribution. Reflecting on his career trajectory, Depp mused, “I’ve had my 17th comeback, apparently. I keep wondering about the word ‘comeback.’ I didn’t go anywhere.”

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