Johnny Deppcommented on his planned comeback to Hollywood a few years after his highly publicized legal battle with his ex-wife, Amber Heard. Depp is a renowned actor who has been one of cinema’s biggest stars since the 1990s. Known for playing Jack Sparrow in thePirates of the Caribbeanfranchise and his various collaborations with Tim Burton, his career took a major hit in the last few years due to his divorce from Amber Heard in 2016, a libel lawsuit against The Sun in 2020, and adefamation suit against Heardin 2022, which he won.
Major Hollywood studios have mostly distanced themselves from Depp since then, but he has continued to find work over the years, including a role in 2023’sJeanne du Barry. The lack of highly publicized roles is starting to change, and that’s led the actor to open up about his past, present, and future as he mounts what most would consider a potential career comeback. In a profile withThe Times, theEdward Scissorhandsactor said he doesn’t see his recent roles as a"comeback"for a specific reason.
“My comeback? Honestly? I didn’t go anywhere. If I had the chance to split I would never come back.”
What Johnny Depp’s Quote Means About His Acting Future
He’s Lined Up Various Projects
The term “comeback” in Hollywood typically refers to someone who was a major star and had a gap in their career before returning to prominence. Depp is certainly in the midst of an attempted Hollywood comeback, even if he doesn’t believe he left entertainment during the lengthy legal battle with Heard that lasted from 2018-2022. But, it’s impossible to ignore how his reputation was damaged and he lost significant roles during those four years. Famously, he was replaced by Mads Mikkelsen asGellert Grindelwald inFantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore. Still, the actor remained active, starring in a few films within that period, likeWaiting for the BarbariansandMinamata. He also remained connected to the music industry through Hollywood Vampires, his band with Alice Cooper.
Lead actor, character unconfirmed
Modì, Three Days on the Wing of Madness
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He has remained active during the last several years with movies likeWaiting for the BarbariansandMinamata,or his recurring role as Johnny Puff in various animatedPuffinsprojects. Yet, Depp has plans to try and regain the stardom he once had. He’s starring in his first major Hollywood project,Day Drinker, opposite Madelyn Cline and Penélope Cruz. He’s also attached to Terry Gilliam’sThe Carnival at the End of Daysand directedModì, Three Days on the Wing of Madness, a biographical drama about Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani. These projects could lead to future opportunities.
What Else Has Been Said About Johnny Depp’s Comeback
Some In Hollywood Want To Keep Working With Him
There is still a belief by some in the industry that Depp’s comeback will happen thanks to his box office prowess. Following 2023’sJeanne du Barrypremiere at the Cannes Film Festival,Indiewirepublished a report featuring quotes from anonymous agents, producers, screenwriter Larry Gross, and script consultant Nancy Nigrosh about Depp’s future in Hollywood. Many of these quotes suggested Depp could still be a box office draw, but it could be a challenge due to his age and reputation. There is some uncertainty if he’ll return to carrying blockbuster franchises.
Speaking of his blockbuster projects, his potential return as Jack Sparrow inPirates of the Caribbean 6will play a huge role in determining how big his comeback is. Franchise producer Jerry Bruckheimer has put his support behind Depp’s return. When talking about the franchise’s future toEntertainment Weeklyin 2024, he said,“If it was up to me, he would be in it.“Bruckheimer has continued to tease this possibility, including confirming thatPirates of the Caribbean 6’s cast includes some familiar stars. He did not directly confirm Depp’s presence, but it remains plausible.
It looks like the door is open forJohnny Deppto make a comeback, but how these future projects pan out will truly determine what comes next. It will be interesting to see how the public responds to his next projects and whether they are receptive to the actor returning in a major way after some controversy.
