Johnny Depp refuses to ‘carry baggage’ of Amber Heard trial

Johnny Depp has opened up about referring to his life being turned into a soap opera, following his court battles with ex-wife Amber Heard.

In 2022, the Pirates of the Caribbean actor successfully sued his former partner, 38, for defamation, after she wrote an op-ed in 2018 about being the victim of domestic abuse.

The 61-year-old was embroiled in a six-week trial with the Justice League actress, which was livestreamed on YouTube, making countless headlines all over the world.

Ahead of his new directorial efforts in Modi: Three Days on the Wing of Madness, he insisted that he has ‘no baggage’ and no ‘ill feelings’ from the last few years.

Reflecting on previous comments he made that his life turned into a soap opera, he told the Hollywood Reporter: ‘Honestly, I can sit here this very second and think about all the hit pieces, and how everybody was against me, and yeah yeah yeah he is off the map … endless stuff.

‘I can remember it all. Went through it all. Some of it was not the most beautiful time, some of it was hilarious. Some of it was mad. The thing is, it simply just was, and it simply just is.

‘So, for me, it happened. I learned, man. Everything that we experience, whether you’re given a snow cone or walking your dog, you learn something somewhere along the way.

‘So I don’t have any ill feelings toward anyone. I don’t have this great reserve of hatred, because hatred requires caring. Why carry that baggage?

‘I had a few bouts with Hollywood over their particular easy way and the fluid three-act structure and all the stuff that is predictable. And I am sorry, but I had to get in there and whip it around a little bit…’

Depp’s upcoming flick, a biopic on artist Amedeo Modigliani, was announced in 2022, in the wake of his explosive court trial.

He stepped behind the camera for only the second time in his career – after 1997’s The Brave – with Al Pacino, Stephen Graham and Riccardo Scamarcio leading the cast.

The movie is based on a play by Dennis McIntyre, and will explore the work of the painter and sculptor during an eventful time in 1916, which would mark a turning point in his life and career. 

Filming ended last year, and the Edward Scissorhand star shared a glimpse into proceedings for the first time on social media.

‘To my dear Modi film family, Köszönöm for all your exceptional efforts without which this film could not have been made,’ he said at the time.

‘Please accept my eternal admiration, appreciation, respect and love, JD. X. [Budapest, 2023].’

Unpacking the movie, he previously told the Hollywood Reporter: ‘The saga of Mr Modigliani’s life is one that I’m incredibly honored, and truly humbled, to bring to the screen.

‘It was a life of great hardship, but eventual triumph – a universally human story all viewers can identify with.’

Producer Barry Navidi added: ‘This project has been very close to Al’s heart. Al introduced me to the play Modigliani many years ago and I instantly fell in love with it.

‘This is a slice of Modi’s life and not a bio. It’s been a dream of mine to work with Johnny again – he’s a true artist with an amazing vision to bring this great story to the screen.’

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