Johnny Depp seen in full costume as King Louis XV in romantic drama after landing first movie role following Amber Heard trial-Alicia Adejobi-Entertainment – Metro

Johnny Depp is currently filming French period drama Jeanne Du Barry (Picture: REX / Why Not Productions)

Johnny Depp has marked the start of his new chapter in Hollywood with the release of the first-look of his upcoming movie, Jeanne Du Barry. 

The former Pirates of the Caribbean actor’s career was largely halted during his fierce legal battle with ex-wife Amber Heard. 

Depp, 59, sued Heard over an article she wrote for The Washington Post in 2018 detailing her experience with domestic abuse. The op-ed did not mention Depp, but the actor’s legal team argued it heavily implied he was physically and emotionally abusive towards Heard, 36, during their marriage, which ended in 2017. 

Heard counter-sued her ex-husband and the two went to battle in a six-week trial, that resulted in the jury finding the Aquaman actress did defame Depp with the article. 

They also awarded Depp damages of $8million (£6.6million), while Heard was awarded $2m (£1.6m). 

With his legal woes mostly behind him, Depp has returned to work in the acting space and is currently filming French period drama Jeanne Du Barry, directed by French filmmaker Maïwenn.

He will play King Louis XV who embarks on a passionate romance with the titular character (Picture: Why Not Productions)

Depp’s career appears to be picking up momentum again with his legal woes behind him (Picture: Rex Features)

Depp will portray King Louis XV and the first promo shot sees the actor posing sideways in full regal costume, including a white plumed hat and curled white hair, with a black blindfold on. 

Filming on the indie film reportedly began at the end of July following the conclusion of the trial. According to Deadline, the shoot is expected to last for 11 weeks, with locations including Versailles and other chateaux around Paris, as well as the studio. 

Amber Heard countersued Depp but the jury found she did defame the actor in her op-ed (Picture: NBC/Dateline / BACKGRID)

The story follows Jeanne, a young working-class woman who uses her intelligence and allure to climb the social hierarchy, eventually landing on the radar of King Louis XV.

The cast is believed to also include Benjamin Lavernhe, Pierre Richard, Melvil Poupaud, Noemie Lvovsky, Pascal Greggory and India Hair.

This will be director Maïwenn’s sixth feature film, with her past acclaimed work including the Cannes 2011 Jury Prize winner Polisse; My King, which earned Emmanuelle Bercot the best actress award in Cannes in 2015, and semi-autobiographical work DNA, which received Cannes special 2020 label.

The work seems to be piling in for Depp at the moment as it was reported this week that Dior has renewed his seven-figure deal to promote their Sauvage fragrance, after sales soared during the trial with fans purchasing bottles in support of the actor. 

A release date for Jeanne Du Barry, produced by French company Why Not Productions, is yet to be revealed.

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