NEW YORK — Johnny Depp’s first live-action film since the widely watched defamation trial against ex-wife Amber Heard was selected as the opening movie for next month’s 76th Cannes Film Festival in France, organisers said.
The French-language film “Jeanne du Barry” stars director Maïwenn Le Besco, known as Maiwenn, as Jeanne Becu, a woman who rose from poverty to the circles of King Louis XV. Depp plays the king in the movie, which will have its world premiere at Cannes on May 16.
“Jeanne du Barry” has been billed as Depp’s comeback film following his explosive trial last year with Amber Heard, his ex-wife.
After both Depp and Heard accused each other of physical and verbal abuse, a civil jury awarded Depp $10 million in damages and $2 million to Heard. In December, they reached a settlement.
“Jeanne du Barry” will premiere May 16 at Cannes and, sticking with tradition, it will be released the same day in French theaters. Netflix is connected with the film but only loosely.
The streamer licensed the film for the first post-theatrical window 15 months after its debut, and only in France, AP reported.
The cinema-rich country has stiff regulations guarding theatrical windows, which also relate to rules governing Cannes’ competition lineup.
As yet, no US release has been announced for “Jeanne du Barry.”
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