Johnny Depp plays King Louis XV. in first-look photos from the French film Jeanne du Barry
Stephanie Branchu
Johnny Depp looks regal in his next film role.
Depp, 59, stars as King Louis XV in two new photos from French writer-director Maïwenn’s upcoming period drama Jeanne du Barry.
An industry source told PEOPLE that talks were under way to premiere the film at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival in May.
Jeanne du Barry had an 11-week shoot that took place in both studios and famous locations in France, like the Palace of Versailles, according to Deadline. The film follows the story of the King of France’s last royal mistress, Jeanne du Barry, who was born into poverty but managed to use her intelligence to climb the social ladder to become the favorite companion of Louis XV. to become, the outlet reported in August.
Maïwenn, 46, plays the eponymous Jeanne du Barry opposite Depp in the film, which she is both directing and co-writing.
In August, WhyNotProductions and France Télévisions unveiled a first teaser image of Depp as Louis XV, showing Depp’s blindfolded profile.
The film will also feature Benjamin Lavernhe, Pierre Richard, Melvil Poupaud, Noémie Lvovsky, Pascal Greggory and India Hair as additional cast members.
RELATED: See First Pic of Johnny Depp as King Louis XV in Jeanne du Barry
Johnny Depp plays King Louis XV. in first-look photos from the French film Jeanne du Barry
Stephanie Branchu
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The project is Depp’s first feature film in three years and follows his libel trial against his ex-wife Amber Heard. Last month, the two reached an agreement and decided to dismiss their appeals; Heard will pay $1 million and said in a lengthy statement: “I have made no admission. This is not a concession.
Depp’s attorneys, Benjamin Chew and Camille Vasquez, said in a statement: “We are delighted to officially close the door on this painful chapter for Mr Depp, who has made it clear throughout the process that it was his priority to to bring truth to light. The jury’s unanimous decision and the resulting verdict in Mr. Depp’s favor against Ms. Heard stands in its entirety. The $1 million payment — which Mr. Depp pledged and will donate to charities — affirms Ms. Heard’s recognition of completing the rigor of the justice system’s pursuit for justice.”
The story goes on
Johnny Depp joins Jeff Beck at SiriusXM City Hall in support of their album 18 on October 12, 2022 in New York City.
Noam Galai/Getty Johnny Depp
Most recently, Depp starred as photographer W. Eugene Smith in the drama Minamata, which he also co-produced. While Minamata was not released in the US until December 2021, it premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival in February 2020.
The actor is also stepping behind the camera for the first time in over two decades directing the upcoming film Modi, based on Dennis McIntyre’s play Modigliani and produced by Al Pacino.
It tells the story of the Italian-born painter and sculptor Amedeo Modigliani in Paris in 1916. Depp previously said in a press release: “I am incredibly honored and truly humbled to bring the saga of Mr. Modigliani’s life to the big screen. It was a life of hardship, but triumphs in the end – a universally human story that all viewers can relate to.”