Once upon a time, Johnny Depp was one of the biggest movie stars in the world. He was in high demand to star in whatever major releases a studio had. His name on a movie poster could attract an audience. However, now the actor claims he's being boycotted by Hollywood. In a new interview he makes reference to the idea that studios are now intentionally avoiding working with him, but he makes it clear he's not going anywhere, and he thanks the fans that have continued to support him throughout his recent legal battles.
Johnny Depp has spent more time in court than on movie sets in recent months, and his most recent film, the drama Minamata, has still not seen in a wide release in the U.S. The movie did arrive in the U.K. this past weekend, and as part of that Depp sat down with The Times for an extensive interview. Depp was talking about the true life events that inspired the film when he included a reference to his own professional issues, calling what is happening to him a "boycott." According to Depp...
Some films touch people and this affects those in Minamata and people who experience similar things. And for anything... [Pause] or Hollywood’s boycott of me? One man, one actor in an unpleasant and messy situation, over the last number of years?
Minamata itself is a movie that has been dealing with some controversy surrounding Johnny Depp. The film's director has claimed that he was told the studio was not going to promote the movie because of it's association with Depp. On top of that, we saw Depp lose his most high profile role, the villain Grindelwald in the Fantastic Beasts films, following a lawsuit verdict that did not go in his favor.
Johnny Depp is still dealing with legal issues. He has a defamation case against his ex-wife Amber Heard that is still waiting to go to trial. However, it seems clear that Depp isn't planning on going away quietly. He's clearly planning to keep fighting, and he thanks those that have been part of the fight with him. Depp says he sees the fans as his true employers and as long as they support him he says he he'll continue to move forward. Depp continues...
They have always been my employers. They are all our employers. They buy tickets, merchandise. They made all of those studios rich, but they forgot that a long time ago. I certainly haven’t. I’m proud of these people, because of what they are trying to say, which is the truth. The truth they’re trying to get out since it doesn’t in more mainstream publications. It’s a long road that sometimes gets clunky. Sometimes just plain stupid. But they stayed on the ride with me and it’s for them I will fight. Always, to the end. Whatever it may be.
In the end Johnny Depp is likely not wrong here. As long as there are fans who want to see him on the big screen, there's a good chance he'll continue to get roles. Having said that, it's possible Depp could be in for a significant change in his career and we'll have to wait and see what form that takes.
