As LL Cool J famously said: “Don’t call it a comeback, I’ve been here for years.” Those appear to be the words Johnny Depp is now living by, with the actor bristling at the notion of Cannes Film Festival debutant Jeanne du Barry being labeled as a potential re-ignition of his stagnant career.
While the historical drama did end up scoring a seven-minute standing ovation following its premiere, you get the distinct impression Depp was the reason behind it, based on middling early reviews. However, it would seem that the exiled Pirates of the Caribbean veteran isn’t taking too kindly to the use of the word “comeback,” with his thoughts on the matter shared during a press conference (per Deadline) making it sound as though his latest bitter divorce is with the entirety of Hollywood.
“Do I feel a boycott now? No, not at all. I don’t feel boycotted by Hollywood because I don’t think about Hollywood. I don’t have much further need for Hollywood myself. I think it’s a very strange, funny time where everybody wants to be themselves, but they can’t, they must fall in line, conform and if you want to lead this life, I’ll be on the other side. They’re using it as a kind of catchphrase. ‘The guy’s making a comeback’. I’ve had about 17 comebacks by the way, apparently.”
Of course, anyone who says they’re much happier not picking up $20 million paychecks and earning untold millions on the back-end from starring in massively successful blockbusters is only kidding themselves, but the conscious uncoupling between Depp and Hollywood is growing increasingly mutual.
The business doesn’t want anything to do with him, and he doesn’t want anything to do with Tinseltown, so rarely shall the two meet in the future unless something drastic changes.
