Johnny Depp made a comeback at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival in France, where his French-language film “Jeanne Du Barry” premiered. He plays King Louis XV in the movie, directed by Maïwenn.
Depp delighted fans by signing autographs and taking selfies with them before walking the red carpet alongside the cast and crew of “Jeanne Du Barry.”
This film comes after Depp’s controversial defamation trial with his ex-wife Amber Heard, which centered around domestic abuse allegations. The trial took place in 2022, a year before the Cannes Film Festival.
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Thierry Fremaux, the chief of the Cannes Film Festival, commented on the decision to have Depp’s movie open the festival. He emphasized the importance of freedom of speech and the legal framework in which actors operate. He stated that if Depp had been banned or if the film had been banned, it would not have been part of the festival.
Fremaux also mentioned that the controversy surrounding Depp arose once the film was announced at Cannes. He deferred the question of why Maïwenn chose Depp to her, as she directed the film.
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Fremaux made it clear that he personally had no interest in the trial and was not well-informed about it. However, he expressed his appreciation for Depp as an actor.
In the past, Depp lost a libel suit in the UK against The Sun for labeling him a “wife-beater.” Heard testified in support of the claims, and the court upheld The Sun’s statements as substantially true. Depp’s attempt to overturn the decision was also unsuccessful.
In a separate trial in Virginia, Depp won three counts of defamation against Heard, while Heard won one claim in her countersuit. Both parties appealed the verdict but eventually reached a settlement, with Heard agreeing to pay $1 million.
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Heard clarified in a statement that the settlement did not imply admission or restriction on her voice moving forward. Depp’s lawyers expressed their satisfaction in bringing the truth to light and closing this chapter for Depp.
Overall, Depp’s appearance at the Cannes Film Festival marked his return to the spotlight and his dedication to his acting career.
