Johnny Depp Returns to the Director’s Chair with Modi

After a long hiatus from the spotlight, Johnny Depp has finally revealed his latest project: a biopic of the legendary Italian painter Amedeo Modigliani, titled Modi.

Depp is not only starring in the film, but also directing it, making it his second feature behind the camera after The Brave in 1997.

Modi is a passion project for Depp, who has been fascinated by the life and work of Modigliani for years.

The film will explore the artist’s turbulent and tragic career, his love affairs, his rivalry with Pablo Picasso, and his untimely death at the age of 35 from tuberculosis.

Depp has assembled an impressive cast of actors to portray the colorful characters that surrounded Modigliani, including Al Pacino, Luisa Ranieri, Antonia Desplat, Stephen Graham, and Riccardo Scamarcio, who will play the lead role.

The film is currently in production in Hungary, where Depp has been spotted on set wearing a long beard and a beret, resembling the iconic look of Modigliani.

Depp has also shared a heartfelt message on his Instagram account, thanking his crew and co-stars for their dedication and support. He wrote:

To my dear ‘Modi’ film family, Köszönöm [(“Thanks” in Hungarian)] for all your exceptional efforts without which this film could not have been made.

Please accept my eternal admiration, appreciation, respect and love, JD. X. [Budapest, 2023] Photo by Leo Pinter

Depp’s return to filmmaking comes after a series of personal and professional setbacks that have tarnished his reputation and career.

The actor has been embroiled in a bitter legal battle with his ex-wife Amber Heard, who accused him of domestic violence and abuse.

Depp has denied the allegations and sued Heard for defamation, but lost his case in the UK and was ordered to pay damages to The Sun newspaper, which had labeled him a “wife beater”.

Depp is also facing another trial in the US, where he is suing Heard for $50 million over an op-ed she wrote for The Washington Post, in which she claimed to be a victim of abuse.

The controversy has cost Depp some of his most lucrative and beloved roles, such as Captain Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise and Gellert Grindelwald in the Fantastic Beasts series.

Depp has also faced accusations of unprofessional behavior and substance abuse on the sets of his previous films, such as The Lone Ranger, Alice Through the Looking Glass, and City of Lies.

However, Depp has maintained his innocence and his loyal fan base, who have rallied behind him with the hashtag #JusticeForJohnnyDepp.

Depp’s new film, Modi, is expected to be released in 2024, and will mark his comeback as a director and an actor.

The film will also showcase his admiration and respect for one of the most influential and misunderstood artists of the 20th century, Amedeo Modigliani.

Whether Modi will be a critical and commercial success, or a flop, remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Johnny Depp is not giving up on his artistic vision.

The post has since gone viral, with over 1.4 million likes and close to 15,000 comments, with many fellow celebrities congratulating the Pirates of the Caribbean star on his directorial effort.

The financing of the Modi project was backed by the Red Sea Film Foundation — the same outlet that provided funds for Depp’s most recent feature film, Jeanne du Barry (2023), where he starred as the controversial King Louis XV in actress and director Maïwenn’s French movie. Maïwenn portrayed the titular mistress of the monarch.

As for Depp’s future in Hollywood, chances are the actor may stay in these more independent, lower-budget circles.

He spoke earlier this year about his time living in England, United Kingdom, and how he relishes the quiet of residing outside the typical Hollywood sphere.

He could, though, make his big, splashy comeback in Pirates of the Caribbean 6.

If Jerry Bruckheimer is raring to go and Depp is now considering his return, could Captain Jack Sparrow once again make it back to the big screen after all?