Johnny Depp claimed he was boycotted by Hollywood in the first interview he gave since losing a libel lawsuit against UK publication The Sun last year.
Speaking to the Sunday Times, he alluded to “five surreal years” and perceived professional struggles. The actor has been unable to address some of the issues head-on due to another looming lawsuit against his ex-wife Amber Heard. However, the interview, which was linked to the UK release of his current film Minamata, included several illuminating statements.
Mainly, he spoke of being overlooked by the industry that once supported him as a star. “For the Hollywood boycott of, uh, me,” he said. “A man, an actor in an unpleasant and messy situation, for the last few years.”
The Pirates of the Caribbean star hinted at some of his struggles. “Everything I’ve been through, I’ve been through it,” Depp said. “But, in the end, this particular arena in my life has been so absurd…” It’s not without a sense of perspective, however. Comparing his situation to the ongoing pandemic as well as the dire situations explored in Minamata, he said his situation was “like getting scratched by a kitten. Comparatively.”
Depp hinted at his upcoming lawsuit against Heard and made it clear he was working “to shed light on things.” He won a legal victory last month when a New York judge ruled Heard had to prove she had donated her divorce settlement to charity. It came after her request for a retrial of her defamation case against The Sun was dismissed in March.
Although he claims to face a professional boycott, he does not appear ready to retire. “In fact, I can’t wait for the next films I make to be my first films, in a way,” he explained.
Depp has suffered several professional blows since the case was decided. Most notably, he has been asked to step down from his lead role as Gellert Grindelwald in the Fantastic Beasts film franchise. He shared the news via a statement on his official Instagram account in November 2020.
“I want to let you know that Warner Bros. asked me to step down from my role as Grindelwald in Fantastic Beasts and I have respected and accepted that request,” he wrote. Depp has since been replaced by Mads Mikkelsen.
The famous actor was also notably absent from a Cadillac viral commercial referring to Edward Scissorhands who played in the Super Bowl 2021. The commercial featured Winona Ryder (who played with Depp in the classic film) and Timothée Chalamet.
Depp is also having trouble getting Minamata on display in the United States. According to Deadline, director Andrew Levitas accused MGM, which owns the film’s US release rights, of “burying” it.
