As Johnny Depp’s new film Minamata releases in the UK, he talks about how the legal disputes with ex-wife Amber Heard has caused Hollywood to boycott him.
Depp was in an exclusive conversation with the Sunday Times, who rolled through his career leading up to his latest release Minamata. The film is yet awaiting its US theatrical release, which Depp states has been stalled due to his libel suit against The Sun and ongoing, unresolved legal conflict with Heard.
The actor seems agonized over the current treatment of his movie, a true-story narrative of W Eugene Smith, the photojournalist who exposed the Chisso chemical company’s mercury poisoning that led to eponymous disease.
We looked these people in the eyeballs and promised we would not be exploitative. That the film would be respectful. I believe that we’ve kept our end of the bargain, but those who came in later should also maintain theirs. Some films touch people. And this affects those in Minamata and people who experience similar things. And for anything… For Hollywood’s boycott of me? One man, one actor in an unpleasant and messy situation, over the last number of years? But, you know, I’m moving towards where I need to go to make all that… To bring things to light.
Johnny Depp
The film had earlier appeared in the news when director Andrew Levitas wrote a letter accusing MGM, the film’s American distributor for allegedly wanting to “bury the film,” whose release date continues to be “TBA” despite being acquired by the distributor over a year ago.
Of course, Minamata is not the only movie Depp is suffering for. He was taken out of the Pirates of the Caribbean and Fantastic Beasts franchises, being replaced by Mads Mikkelson (Hannibal) for the latter. And it has been tough luck ever since, as the industry steers clear of any associations with Depp.
Despite losing his libel suit against The Sun, Depp may have found recent solace in winning the ACLU lawsuit, where it was proved that Heard did not donate the money as per her promise. Some are using this as an indicator that there are other, bigger things that Heard is also lying about. Irrespective of the result, Warner Bros for Aquaman continue to stand with Heard which has angered many fans.
In the “he said, she said” of domestic abuse allegations, it is obvious that the dispute has hurt Depp more than Heard. And although Minamata has already reached the Top 10 on Apple TV UK, it seems that Depp’s trip down the rabbit hole will continue until a final verdict has been reached.
Source: The Times
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