Johnny Depp at Cannes Unveils His Post-Amber Heard Trial ‘Comeback’ Story

In a press conference at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, Johnny Depp opened up about his much-awaited “comeback.” After his legal trials, he also expressed his feeling of being boycotted by Hollywood.

Depp, 59, has been under public scrutiny following his legal battles with his former wife, Amber Heard. However, the actor claimed that the narrative people know about is “fiction.”

He arrived 15 minutes late during the press conference for his new movie, “Jeanne Du Barry.” The film revolves around the story of Jeanne, a young working woman who craves culture and pleasure. She uses her charm to climb the higher status, making her the favorite of King Louis XV, played by Johnny Depp.

In addition, Depp, 59, stated, “Of course, when you’re asked to resign from the film you’re doing because of something that is merely a bunch of vowels and consonants floating in the air, yeah, you feel a bit boycotted.”

For Johnny Depp's dapper @Festival_Cannes 2023 opening ceremony look, the Dior men's tailors apply the #DiorSavoirFaire finishing touches to a custom-made black wool and mohair double-breasted peak lapel tuxedo by Kim Jones, with jewelled buttons.#StarsinDior #Cannes2023 pic.twitter.com/3uLoIIh0oh

— Dior (@Dior) May 17, 2023

Even if he felt sidelined, the actor kept his nonchalant personality in Hollywood. “Do I feel boycotted now? No, not at all. But I don’t feel boycotted by Hollywood because I don’t think about it. I don’t think about Hollywood. I don’t have much further need for Hollywood myself.”

The debut of Jeanne Du Barry in France came a year after Depp’s controversial defamation trial with Amber Heard. The trial was a follow-up to her 2018 case about domestic abuse accusations against the actor.

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According to PEOPLE, The Pirates of the Caribbean actor also addressed the effects of the case and the 2020 libel case in London on his career. He said, “I never went anywhere.”

He questioned what his “comeback” meant. Depp said, “I keep wondering about the word comeback because I didn’t go anywhere. As a matter of fact, I live about 45 minutes away. So yeah, maybe people stopped calling out of whatever their fear was at the time. But no, I didn’t go nowhere. I’ve been sitting around.”

Johnny Depp: “Did I feel boycotted by Hollywood?…When you’re asked to resign from a film you’re doing because of something that is merely a function of vowels and consonants floating in the air, yes you feel boycotted." https://t.co/VIiTdGy6dP #Cannes pic.twitter.com/Xjz2IfinDu

— Variety (@Variety) May 17, 2023

For the actor, the public’s idea of his personal life depends on the narrative spun in the courtrooms of London and Virginia. He criticized the media’s description of his life.

He stated, “With regard to me and my life, the majority of what you’ve read is fantastically, horrifically written fiction.”

Cannes Film Festival’s Perception of Depp

Cannes Film Festival, chief Thierry Fremaux, acknowledged having Johnny Depp’s movie as the festival’s opening. He highlighted his belief in freedom of speech, thought, and action within a legal foundation.

He said, “If Johnny Depp had been banned from acting in a film or the film was banned, we wouldn’t be here talking about it.”

Moreover, in November 2020, the actor lost his UK libel case against the British tabloid, The Sun. The newspaper labeled him as a “wife-beater.” Heard even testified to support the claims.

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A London judge ruled the claims as “substantially true.” However, a judge in Virginia mostly sided with Depp in a defamation trial the following year. Both appealed the judgment but achieved a settlement in December.

As Johnny Depp walks the red carpet of Cannes for the screening of “Jeanne du Barry,” the world anticipates with bated breath. Is this the triumphant “comeback” for Depp that some media channels have proclaimed, or merely a continuation of his career?

Based on his comments, Depp looks unfazed and ready to move forward. Meanwhile, Amber Heard, who agreed to pay $1 million for the settlement, keeps her stance, stating, “I have made no admission. This is not an act of concession. There are no restrictions or gags with respect to my voice moving forward.”