Johnny Depp is set to make his comeback to the film industry after a three-year break following the controversy surrounding his defamation trial against ex-wife Amber Heard.
A UK court ruled against him in his 2020 libel suit against The Sun over its description of him as a “wife beater” with regards to his ex-wife Amber Heard.
However, his image and marketability dramatically improved after he prevailed in the closely-watched defamation trial against Amber.
The pair were married for two years, from 2015 to 2017.
Amber has since "permanently" moved to somewhere outside of Madrid, Spain, and sources have claimed she "has quit Hollywood," while Johnny begins to make his comeback.
$20million-plus Dior deal
Johnny Depp started by making his return to luxury fashion house, Dior, after signing a deal worth upwards of $20million.
The Hollywood actor will return as the spokesperson for Dior Homme since 2015, transforming into a wild rocker for the ad campaign.
A source revealed that a three-year deal was signed for more than $20million. They told Variety that the deal would "eclipse Robert Pattinson’s $12 million deal to serve as a spokesperson for Dior Homme and Brad Pitt’s $7 million pact to promote Chanel No. 5."
Another insider shared that the A-Listers usually sign fragrance deals for "around $2 million-$4 million per year."
"Like Chris Pine, whose deal with Armani is valued at $4 million a year over 3 years," Variety reported.
Tim Burton documentary series
Johnny is reportedly involved in a four-part documentary series about the Corpse Bride filmmaker Tim Burton.
The 59-year-old will star alongside A-Listers such as Helena Bonham Carter, Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Jenna Ortega, composer Danny Elfman, Christopher Walken, Danny DeVito, Mia Wasikowska, and Christoph Waltz.
Titled Untitled Tim Burton Documentary and directed by Tara Wood, the series will follow “an otherworldly, dream journey into the mind” of the man behind Hollywood classics like Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands and The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Scandalous period-drama film
Johnny's first film since 2020 will preview at the Cannes Film Festival and will show the actor take on the role of King Louis XV, the 18th century monarch, who fell in love with a prostitute to the horror of much of his family and court.
Although it's rumoured that he only had a few minutes of screentime and dialogue made up of short phrases in the scandalous new flick titled Jeanne du Barry.
Johnny reportedly signed up for the role before the court cases against Amber began, but nonetheless, director Maïwenn wanted to work with him.
"Why him? Because I wanted to work with him," she told Screentime. "And better to be loyal to one’s desire than loyal to one’s… Frenchness.”
Cannes controversy
The Cannes Film Festival director Thierry Fremaux stated that he had no interest in Johnny's personal life ahead of his return to film.
"I’m the last person to be able to discuss all this. If there’s one person in this world who didn’t find the least interest in this very publicised trial [against Heard], it’s me. I don’t know what it’s about. I care about Johnny Depp as an actor," he told the Hollywood Reporter.
Thierry was also forced to dismiss "radical" and "false" accusations made by Adele Haenel.
Directorial debut
Johnny has shared the cast of his first directorial debut in 25 years. The actor is working on the biopic of Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani.
Titled Modi, the movie will feature Italian star Riccardo Scamarcio, well known for his role in John Wick Chapter 2 and screen icon Al Pacino.
The film's producer told Deadline : "Our incredible cast, coupled with the vision, wit and sensitivity I know Johnny will bring behind the camera, will make this a dream come true.”
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