The year 2023 promises to be a big year for actor Johnny Depp as he is finding his footing again after an arduous defamation trial against Amber Heard in 2022. The trial bore its repercussions — Depp found it difficult to find work and even ended up being dropped from a spate of projects. However, the new year sees him in a better space: the Pirates Of The Caribbean star would soon be seen in a French film, titled Jeanne du Barry, where he plays the role of King Louis XV.  

A French publication recently released the first looks from the film, Depp clearly looks the part. One of the images shows him with actress Maiwenn, who has been paired opposite the actor. Maiwenn has also directed and penned the movie’s script along with Teddy Lussi-Modeste.  

The storyline revolves around Jeanne Becu, the last official mistress of Louis XV, who had to go through her fair share of struggles and challenges in life for being an illegitimate daughter of a seamstress. However, she rises like a phoenix through ashes and manages to make something out of her life. Set in 1734, the movie shows how people lived life in dire situations. 

The film took 11 weeks to finish its shooting schedule. Some parts of it were shot in studios, while some were shot in the Palace of Versailles in France. 

A few days ago, speculations were rife about Depp being dropped from the project, given his problematic equation with Maiwenn. The two reportedly had heated arguments on the sets. In an interview, Bernard Montiel, a French showbiz commentator, said, “Johnny Depp is an excellent actor when he comes on the set… Except that sometimes the team is ready at 6 am and no one comes. So, afterward, Maïwenn gets angry and the next day, it is she who does not come and there is Johnny Depp… It’s madness. They’re (expletive) off. It’s going very, very badly. They argue constantly.” 

On the other hand, Heard might have broken a new world record. According to Evie Magazine, she has been the most searched celebrity in 2022. While Depp managed to get out of the mud, the Aquaman actress continued to face severe public backlash.  

Lead Image: Premierefr/Instagram