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Johnny Depp in Cannes: “I don’t need Hollywood”
Johnny Depp at the opening of the Cannes Film Festival. photo
© Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP/dpa
It is his first film following the headline-grabbing court battle with ex-wife Amber Heard. Johnny Depp celebrates the premiere of “Jeanne du Barry” in Cannes. Previously, there had also been protests.
US actor Johnny Depp arrived with some delay for the press conference of the film “Jeanne du Barry” in Cannes on Wednesday. The 59-year-old then gave an insight into his relationship with Hollywood and the media. The drama Jeanne du Barry, which opened the film festival on Tuesday night, is Depp’s first film since the court battle with his ex-wife Amber Heard.
Depp’s career had temporarily collapsed due to the headline-making defamation process with his ex-wife, who accused him of violence. So he was replaced in 2020 in “Fantastic Beasts: Dumbledore’s Secrets”. In 2022 he earned a win over Heard on most points.
“Did I feel boycotted by Hollywood?” he replied to a journalist’s question. “You wouldn’t have to have a pulse to think, ‘None of this is true,'” he said. “When you’re asked to withdraw from a film you’re making because of what is just a bunch of vowels and consonants in the air.” He continued, “I don’t feel boycotted by Hollywood for not thinking about Hollywood. I don’t need Hollywood.”
The decision by the Cannes festival directors to make a work with Depp the opening film also provoked criticism, especially in the USA. When asked about it on Wednesday, Depp said, among other things: “Who are these people? Why do they care? Some species or a mountain of mashed potatoes illuminated by a computer screen? Anonymous.” He also said, “As for me and my life, most of what you’ve read is fantastic, terribly written fiction.”
According to media reports, Depp was late because he was stuck in a traffic jam. The rest of the film team headed by director Maïwenn was there a good half hour earlier to take photos and answer initial questions.