• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Johnny Depp to direct film for first time in 25 years

Home> Film & TV

Updated 17:31 15 Aug 2022 GMT+1Published 17:29 15 Aug 2022 GMT+1

Johnny Depp to direct film for first time in 25 years

The movie has Al Pacino onboard as a producer

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

Johnny Depp is set to direct a movie for the first time in more than two decades, with fellow star Al Pacino onboard as producer. 

Depp will be making a change from appearing on screen to direct Modigliani – a biographical drama about Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani, based on a play of the same name by Dennis McIntyre. 

The flick is set in Paris in 1916 and tells the story of painter and sculptor Modigliani, who died in poverty aged just 35. 

According to a release about the movie, Modigliani ‘long considered by himself a critical and commercial failure, navigates a turbulent and eventful 48 hours that will become a turning point in his life, ultimately solidifying his reputation as an artistic legend’. 

Advert

Johnny Depp will direct the upcoming movie.
Stephen Bisgrove / Alamy Stock Photo

In a statement, Depp said: “The saga of Mr. Modigliani’s life is one that I’m incredibly honoured, and truly humbled, to bring to the screen.  

“It was a life of great hardship, but eventual triumph – a universally human story all viewers can identify with.”

Alongside Pacino, Barry Navidi will also produce the movie – as yet no details around casting have been released, but according to The Hollywood Reporter, it goes into production in Europe early next year. 

Advert

Navidi said: “This project has been very close to Al’s heart. Al introduced me to the play Modigliani many years ago and I instantly fell in love with it.

Johnny will direct while Al Pacino will serve as producer.
PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo

“This is a slice of Modi’s life and not a bio. It’s been a dream of mine to work with Johnny again – he’s a true artist with an amazing vision to bring this great story to the screen.”

It will be Depp’s first directing role since the 1995 movie The Brave, in which he also starred, alongside Marlon Brandon.

Advert

It’s not known if Depp, or Pacino, will also be appearing in front of the camera in Modigliani, but given that the artist was in his early 30s when the movie is set, it's unlikely that either of the stars, aged 59 and 82 respectively, will be taking the titular role. 

The announcement comes just months after Depp won his high-profile defamation suit against ex-wife Amber Heard. 

The jury unanimously found in favour of Depp, and Heard was ordered to pay her ex-husband $10.35 million (£8.2 million).

Depp was also ordered to pay Heard $2 million (£1.5 million) in a counterclaim.

Advert

If you have a story you want to tell, send it to UNILAD via [email protected] 

Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock

Topics: Johnny Depp, Film and TV

Claire Reid
Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at UNILAD who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats.

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

8 hours ago
21 hours ago
23 hours ago
  • 8 hours ago

    Netflix fans binge 100% rated series smashing expectations with 142.9 million hours viewed

    People are getting their friends and family 'hooked'

    Film & TV
  • 8 hours ago

    Netflix viewers urged to watch this ‘perfect’ but ‘underappreciated’ animated comedy that just dropped on streaming

    Fans have long argued the film should be at the people's watch list if they haven't seen it

    Film & TV
  • 21 hours ago

    Netflix viewers have days left to watch forgotten Scarlett Johansson film that caused uproar after highlighting this one myth

    The film only really works by playing into the myth

    Film & TV
  • 23 hours ago

    Top 5 titles you need to binge this weekend include Netflix’s new true crime series featuring serial killer who ‘haunted’ New York

    If you're looking for something to watch, this week's UNILAD Ranked has got you covered

    Film & TV
  • Johnny Depp looks unrecognizable as he returns to Hollywood for first time since Amber Heard trial to film new movie
  • Netflix adds ‘insane’ gangster film starring Johnny Depp fans can’t believe is based on true story
  • Jenna Ortega had a savage five-word reply to rumors she's dating Johnny Depp
  • Robert Downey Jr. sparks debate after praising ‘brother’ Johnny Depp for his art