Movies
Why Johnny Depp doesn’t feel boycotted by Hollywood
Depp looks to have mixed feelings about his years-long absence from Hollywood films.
Johnny Depp spoke to the media at the Cannes press conference on Wednesday, as the actor marks his return to the big screen in ‘Jeanne du Barry’, which had its world premiere as the opening film at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday.
The movie is Depp’s first leading role in three years, and comes after his high-profile legal battle with ex-wife Amber Heard. The two were involved in a messy divorce, which included allegations of domestic violence and two high-profile defamation lawsuits.
The event and film marks Depp’s return to the spotlight, and the 59-year-old gave a rather bullish answer when asked if he “still feels boycotted by Hollywood”.
Depp made the statement during a 2021 interview after he was dropped from Warner Bros.’ ‘Fantastic Beasts’ franchise.
“Did I feel boycotted by Hollywood? Well, you’d have to not have a pulse to feel at that point like this was all just a weird joke,” said Depp.
“Of course, when you’re asked to resign from a film you’re doing because of something that’s merely a bunch of vowels and consonants floating in the air…” he trailed off.
“Do I feel boycotted now? No, not at all. But I don’t feel boycotted, because I don’t think about Hollywood. I don’t feel much further need for Hollywood — I don’t know about you.
“It’s a very strange, funny time when everyone would love to be themselves, but they can’t because they must fall in line with the person in front of them. If you want to follow that line, be my guest. I’ll be on the other side.”
Depp admits it’s been hard for him to move on
Later in the press conference, Depp discussed the controversies and admitted it’s been difficult for him to move on as a public figure.
“The majority of you who have been reading for the last five or six years, with regards to me and my life — the majority of what you’ve read is fantastically, horrifically written fiction,” said Depp.
“The fact is, we’re here to talk about the film. But it’s like asking the question, ‘How are you doing?’ But what’s underneath in the subtext is, ‘God, I hate you.’ That’s the sort of media thing.”
Depp doesn’t see his latest film as a comeback
As for his role in ‘Jeanne du Barry’, Depp doesn’t believe it’s a comeback.
“I keep wondering about the word ‘comeback,’ because I didn’t go anywhere,” Depp said. “I live about 45 minutes away from here, in fact.
“Maybe people stopped calling — out of whatever their fear was at the time — but I didn’t go nowhere. I’ve been sitting around.
“‘Comeback’ is almost like I’m going to come out and do a tap dance — dance my best and hope you approve. That’s the notion. It’s a bizarre mystery.”