After a public divorce, abuse allegations, and over-sensationalized defamation trial, it’s safe to say that Hollywood darling Johnny Depp has transformed into a somewhat controversial figure. But despite the smears against Depp’s reputation, the cast of his second directorial debut, Modi — Three Days on the Wings of Madness, have showered him with praise, urging critics to move past their negative image of the acclaimed actor-turned-director.
Premiering earlier this week at the San Sebastián Film Festival, Modi — Three Days on the Wings of Madness is Depp’s newest project, an “anti-biopic” that follows 72 hours in the life of Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani. But the film also represents a significant step in Depp’s tentative journey back to Hollywood, following a series of scandals in 2022 involving Depp’s relationship with his now ex-wife Amber Heard. Among other things, Depp was accused of physical and sexual abuse by Heard, which sent his reputation into a nosedive that some felt was not entirely justified.
Depp’s colleagues on Modi — Three Days on the Wings of Madness are among those who believe Depp should be absolved from the events of two years ago. When asked if Depp deserved a second chance, the film’s leading man, Riccardo Scarmacio, stated, “I think Hollywood needs Johnny Depp, an artist of that kind. It’s very important for Hollywood and for cinema in general… He’s the nicest, the kindest, the sweetest man I’ve ever worked with in my life. The industry, I think, should be very careful.” Fellow actress Antonia Desplat added simply, “Yeah. People need to move on.” Both stars also pointed to cancel culture as the primary reason why Depp has experienced so much backlash over the past two years.
Cancel Culture or Controversy? Depp on Set Gets Mixed Reviews
Depp received no shortage of praise from Modi colleagues for his kind behavior on set, which is partially why Desplat and Scarmacio urged critics so emphatically to leave Depp alone. But other members of the entertainment industry have previously spoken about Depp’s difficult behavior during filming, recounting stories of angry outbursts, disagreements with the script, and unpredictable absences. Although these types of accusations are typically word-of-mouth, with no legitimate way of determining their validity, the amount of complaints Depp has received over the course of his career about his decorum certainly points to some level of truth. And while it’s also possible that Depp did behave admirably as a director on the set of Modi, his colleagues shouldn’t be so quick to dismiss all criticisms of Depp as simply a product of cancel culture.
Depp’s successful venture into the director’s chair was also hailed as his “second chance” by the stars of Modi, but it seems more like a continuation of his already star-studded career. Despite the publicity of his defamation trial in 2022, Depp never left Hollywood, beginning his work on the historical drama Jeanne du Barry in the summer of that same year. In fact, it seems like Depp has experienced very few consequences in the aftermath of the Depp-Heard trial, contrary to what many fans and colleagues appear to believe.