Despite winning his defamation trailer against his ex-wife Amber Heard following her allegations of domestic violence, actor Johnny Depp is still a persona non-grata in Hollywood, by and large. The actor hasn’t starred in anything significant since he was fired/resigned from the “Fantastic Beasts” franchise in 2020, but that hasn’t really stopped the less-discerning European film market from tapping his talents. One of those helmers less concerned with the controversies involving casting Depp is the French filmmaker Maïwenn, the director, writer, and actress behind the upcoming movie “Jeanne du Barry.” In the period drama, Maïwenn plays a sex worker in 18th-century France who becomes the mistress to King Louis XV, the role played by Depp.
Detailing her experience of working with the actor for The Independent, despite being given a second chance to work in France, Maïwenn said the actor was, at times, unprofessionalism, “difficult” to work with, refused to show up on time, and made the film crew feel fearful.
“I have to be honest. It’s difficult to shoot with him,” the director said about Depp’s behavior on set. “All the crew were scared because he has a different kind of humor, and we didn’t know if he was going to be on time or if he was going to be OK to say his lines. I mean, even if he was there on set, on time, the crew were afraid of him.”
That fear among the crew isn’t wholly unwarranted. While shooting the crime thriller “City of Lies,” about the investigation of the death of rapper Tupac Shakur in Las Vegas, allegations surfaced that Depp punched a location manager twice in the ribs in 2017, leading to a lawsuit in 2018 and a settlement in 2022.
The filmmaker further detailed the actor’s unprofessionalism on the shoot. Maïwenn claimed. Depp ignored her texts and would only talk to her when his entourage was around, making things difficult regarding rehearsals and getting on the same page. These problems also included Depp failing to show up on the set.
Reports claimed in retaliation, she would also fail to show up, but the filmmaker blasted those allegations.
“This is totally false!” she countered. “We were waiting for Johnny a lot of the time. But I was the first arriving on set and the last person to leave.”
Meanwhile, Depp believes Hollywood “threw me in the bin.” While speaking recently with Metro UK, the actor ranted about his feelings on Hollywood.
“They’re disposable, and they realize it,” Depp said of Hollywood. “Glorified accountants who have the ability to press the green light and make studio films… but they press the green light, they spent s***loads of money. Budgets are ridiculous on these films, some romantic comedy with two very popular people. People – the real people – they’re sick of it.”
Given Depp’s blacklisting or cancelation, however, he’s put it over the years, one would think he would take to the opportunity in France and show up his critics. But Maïwenn’s comments suggest the actor hasn’t changed his notorious ways.
“There’s been no normal relationship since the shoot,” Maïwenn said about the relationship since production ended. “Johnny, for me, is a huge genius, but he’s in another world. I cannot communicate with him.”
“Jeanne Du Barry” will be released in theaters on May 2 via Vertical Entertainment. Watch the trailer below.