Johnny Depp Rejects Hollywood and the Notion of a ‘Comeback’ at Cannes Festival.
In a candid press conference at the Cannes Film Festival, Johnny Depp has made it clear that he doesn’t feel much need for Hollywood anymore.
Responding to questions about his past controversies and alleged Hollywood boycott, Depp reflected on his personal journey and current stance on the film industry.
In 2021, Depp’s career took a hit following Amber Heard’s allegations against him, which led to his removal from Warner Bros.’ Fantastic Beasts franchise.
Asked whether he still felt boycotted by Hollywood, Depp replied, “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.” He continued, “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.”
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Depp’s comments suggest a deep disillusionment with the industry. He critiqued the lack of individuality, stating, “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.”
The actor also expressed his frustration with media coverage, asserting that much of what had been written about him in the past five to six years was “fantastically, horrifically written fiction.” He implied that media inquiries often felt like concealed attacks, a sentiment that echoes the broader conversation around celebrities and mental health.
Depp dismissed the idea of his role in the new French film, “Jeanne du Barry,” as a “comeback”. “I keep wondering about the word ‘comeback,’ because I didn’t go anywhere,” he explained. “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.”
In “Jeanne du Barry,” Depp takes on the role of Louis XV, speaking exclusively in French, alongside Maïwenn as the title character. The film tells the story of a young working-class woman, Jeanne Vaubernier, who ascends the social ladder to become the favorite of Louis XV and causes a scandal when she moves to Versailles.
While the narrative around Depp’s career has been shaped by controversy in recent years, his recent comments at Cannes show an actor ready to move beyond Hollywood norms and expectations. Whether this will bring about a new chapter in his career, only time will tell.
