By: Dominic La-Viola
Johnny Depp’s latest film is completed and has just been picked up for distribution in Northern America. Although, it’s not anything what you would think. Unless of course you’re thinking that he has stepped out of the spotlight, to take on a role behind the scenes. Then, by luck of the draw, you would indeed be correct… But let’s face it, you weren’t thinking it, none of us were.
Depp decided to take the step into the directors chair, making his director debut, something that almost all great actors eventually do. Marlon Brando, One Eye Jack’s. Mel Gipson with Braveheart, Kevin Costner with Dances With Wolves, Clint Eastwood with Play Misty For Me, Chris Evens with Before We Go, Bradley Cooper with A Star Is Born, Billy Bob Thornton with Sling Blade and the list goes on.
However, the major difference here, Johnny Depp is not only, not the star of the show. He’s not even in it. Which threw even me for a loop when I first read that he had a new film coming out. Now I was pleasantly surprised to learn that he indeed, directed the film. The fact that he chose not to start in it as well however, was shocking to say the least.
Now I am curious to know why he chose not to cast himself in the leading role, or not any role for that matter, and how did he manage to get the film financed. Most A-list actors can easily, for the most part find people to finance a lower to mid budget film, by their star power alone. Using their status as a drawn in for people to come see the film.
Although Depp doesn’t do that and I am curious to why? What drew him to this script in the first place if he didn’t see himself in it. Was he looking for a film to direct but not start in and connected with this story?
According to an article from deadline. Depp is quoted to have said , “I’m delighted to share this epic story with American audiences, offering them a glimpse into the exhilarating yet tragic tale of the brilliant Italian artist, Modigliani. Bringing Modi to life, alongside an extraordinary cast and crew, has been the greatest honor, and I hope that others feel that same magic we experienced when making this film.”
Which bares to answer the question of what drove him to want to make this film, although I am curious to why he didn’t desire to star in it as well. I mean the film has a star studded cast with heavy hitters such as Al Pacino, Antonia Desplat, Bruno Gouery, Ryan McFarland and Stephan Graham.
Thus far, things are not looking good for the film, sadly to say. As of now the film is sitting at a Metascore of 32, with only 8 critic reviews being referenced. Which does seem oddly low amount of reviews, for a film of this magnitude, even if Depp is only directing and not the face of the film. If the film premiered at a festival, which I don’t recall hearing anything about it, being anywhere. I feel like the film, if not being the talk of the festival, would at the very least get more than 8 critics in the theater to see it.
Nevertheless I am one who is excited to see this. Regardless of what the critics say. I have always been a huge fan of Depp, and am curious to see what his directorial debut looks like.
However if you’re more interested in seeing him on the big screen, instead of pulling the strings from behind it, he is currently in production on his newest film. A thriller from director Marc Webb, with a script penned by Zach Dean. Starring along side Depp are , Penelope Cruz and Madelyn Cline. Madelyn Cline, who is mostly known from Outer Banks and the reboot of I know What You Did Last Summer.
Sources for this article- Deadline.