Johnny Depp to direct first movie about alcoholic artist who died at 35!
Johnny Depp has officially announced a major new project as he is set to direct his first film in 25 years, after winning his defamation trial against ex-wife Amber Heard. Johnny Depp will direct a film about Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani. The film is a biopic on Amedeo Modigliani, co-produced by Depp, Al Pacino and Barry Nividi. The production work is reportedly set to begin in Europe, France in 2023.
The popular actor will don the director's hat next year for the first time since 1997, titled 'Modigliani'. The film also marks the next collaboration, co-production between Pacino and Navidi. However, the cast has not been revealed yet and will be announced sometime this year, although it is not certain if Johnny is starring in it himself or not. Alongside the Modigliani biopic, Depp is also playing King Louis XV in French director Maïwenn’s historical love story 'Jeanne du Barry', which started in late July and is Depp’s first feature in three years.
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Amedeo Modigliani Young girl wearing a rose (1916) pic.twitter.com/wAQkBaCOmZ
— Franny Gold (@RomeoFrancine) August 10, 2022
Who was Amedeo Modigliani?
Amedeo Modigliani was an Italian painter who found fame posthumously. His style was not well received during his lifetime and he considered himself a failure both critically and commercially. Modigliani drank heavily, used cocaine and hashish, and, a gorgeous hunk of a man despite his modest height of 5 feet 3 inches, fathered an indeterminate number of illegitimate children. His life was cut short by tuberculosis at the age of 35. It was only after his death in 1920 that his creations became much sought after across Europe. Based on the play by Dennis McIntyre and adapted for the screen by Jerzy and Mary Kromolowski, the film will be based on the life story of the famous painter, who lived in Paris in the early 20th century. “The saga of Mr Modigliani’s life is one that I’m incredibly honored and truly humbled to bring to the screen,” Depp said in a statement to "The Hollywood Reporter. "It was a life of great hardship, but eventual triumph, a universally human story all viewers can identify with,” Johnny said about his involvement in the project.
Johnny has only directed one film in his entire career, the 1997 release 'The Brave', which starred him alongside Marlon Brando. Johnny has produced 10 films, including 2011’s 'Hugo' and most recently, 2020’s 'Crock of Gold: A Few Rounds With Shane MacGowan'. As per the report, Johnny is producing the film for IN.2, the European arm of his production company names Infinitum Nihil. This film marks the next collaboration between Pacino and Navidi who have previously worked together on projects, including 'The Merchant of Venice' (2004), 'Wilde Salomé' (2011) and 'Salomé' (2013).
As an actor, Johnny will be next seen portraying French king Louis XV in the upcoming film 'Jeanne du Barry'. This will be Johnny's first release in three years, since his highly-publicized defamation case against ex-wife Amber Heard, which concluded in June. After a Virginia jury found that Heard, 36, had defamed Depp, 59, in a 2018 Washington Post op-ed about sexual violence and ordered her to pay him $US15 million ($A21.35 million) ending their nearly two-year marriage. However, the star has already landed his first acting role since scoring a sensational legal win against his ex-wife in June.