Johnny Depp Directing New Movie For The First Time In Decades
It might surprise many fans that Johnny Depp directed a movie previously, but now he is back in the chair after decades away.
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Since being awarded over $10 million in damages following his months-long court battle with his ex-wife, Johnny Depp has been making a slew of comebacks in the world of entertainment. From concerts with pals like Jeff Beck to becoming the face of fragrances, it seems like everyone is ready to get back into business with the Pirates of the Caribbean actor. For his latest toe dip back into the limelight, Depp will step behind the camera where he’ll direct his first film in almost three decades.
The Hollywood Reporter first broke the news that Johnny Depp will be the eye behind the on-screen production Modigliani which is set to be an adaptation of the Dennis McIntyre play Modigliani: A Play in Three Acts. The feature will tell the story of the famous Italian artist, Amedeo Modigliani as he lives, works, and constantly doubts himself in 1916 Paris. It’s during these tumultuous days that Modigliani will find himself quickly rising to the top – seeing his blood, sweat, and tears pay off after all.
As of right now, no casting details have been announced, but we do know that Johnny Depp won’t be the only big name tied to production. Along with directing, Depp will also co-produce arm in arm with Al Pacino and Barry Navidi. Taking things across the pond to where the story all began, production is itching to get cameras rolling in Europe sometime during the spring of 2023.
Johnny Depp’s first turn behind the camera took place back in the late ‘90s with 1997’s The Brave. Along with directing, Depp also co-wrote and starred in the production. Bringing in longtime legend Marlon Brando to co-star, the film’s ensemble cast was made up of Marshall Bell, Elpidia Carrillo, Frederic Forrest, Clarence Williams III, Max Perlich, and Luis Guzmán. The neo-Western film was a dark look into one man’s final days after agreeing to be tortured and killed on camera for a large sum of money to support his family for the rest of their lives. To say the movie wasn’t a hit would be an understatement. Currently sitting with 33% on Rotten Tomatoes, the film didn’t quite stick the landing with critics.
As he makes his way back to the public eye, it would seem that Johnny Depp is hoping to better prove his directorial skills with Modigliani and stick it to the critics with whom The Brave didn’t sit well with. Piling more projects into his basket than we can keep up with, the actor will also soon appear in Maïwenn’s Jeanne du Barry. In the historical drama love story, Depp will play King Louis XV and, with cameras already rolling, we were given our first look at Depp as the French King just last week.
After several years of being shut out of Hollywood, it seems that Johnny Depp is coming back with a vengeance, excited to get back to the world of creating. Fans of the Cry Baby actor who have been patiently waiting for updates are sure to be swimming in them over the next weeks and months.
