Johnny Depp ‘snubbed own dinner party after Jeanne du Barry premiere during Cannes Film Festival in a bid to protect his movie comeback after the Amber Heard defamation trial’
Johnny Depp reportedly snubbed his opening night dinner after the world premiere of his new film Jeanne du Barry during the Cannes Film Festival in France on Tuesday.
The actor, 59, plays King Louis XV in the French language movie, his first big screen project in three years.
And it is claimed Johnny, who regularly hit the headlines last year during his defamation trial against Amber Heard, was so keen to protect the flick’s reputation that he headed home after the star-studded premiere this week.
In a picture published by the Mirror, the star’s table setting remained untouched at the post premiere dinner, with his place card and menu sitting on his plate.
An insider told the publication: ‘Everyone was expecting Johnny at the dinner.
Nothing to see here: Johnny Depp reportedly snubbed his opening night dinner after the world premiere of his new film Jeanne du Barry during the Cannes Film Festival in France on Tuesday (pictured on the premiere’s red carpet)
Hollywood star: The actor, 59, plays King Louis XV in the French language movie, his first big screen project in three years
‘It’s very rare for the star of the film to not show, but he decided to lay low.
‘All eyes are on him and he was worried about anything that could damage his comeback after an overwhelmingly positive reception at the Palais desFestivals opening ceremony. He was also nervous about any tension with guests inside.’
It comes after Johnny grew emotional as he received a seven-minute standing ovation during the premiere, with the star being overwhelmed by the response from the audience.
Johnny could be seen wiping tears from his eyes before raising his hands in a gesture of thanks and hugging his director and co-star Maiwenn.
The filmmaker was also tearful as she briefly took the mic, with the French actress playing working-class Jeanne du Barry opposite the Pirates of the Caribbean actor as former King of France Louis XV.
She tearfully said: ‘I want to share this moment with my lover, with my producer, with Le Pacte.
‘It was a production that was difficult to finance … and I want to share this moment with all my team across the theatre.’
Thierry Fremaux, head of the Cannes Film Festival, previously addressed a backlash about the film opening the event amid the controversy surrounding Johnny, who successfully sued Amber for defamation in a lawsuit relating to an op-ed she had written about being a victim of domestic abuse.
Epic comeback: Johnny received a seven-minute standing ovation at the premiere of his comeback film Jeanne du Barry during the Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday
Dream team: He had director and co-star Maïwenn by his side
He told reporters earlier this week: ‘I do not know what Johnny Depp represents in the United States to tell you the truth. We are watching a film.
You know, I have only one conduct in life. It is freedom of thought, freedom of speech, freedom to act under the law.
‘And so, if Johnny Depp had been barred from acting in a movie, and if that movie also had been banned, we wouldn’t be talking about it.’
Noting the actor is ‘very extraordinary in the film for a role that was difficult’, he added: ‘Because if there’s anyone in the world who wasn’t interested in this high-profile trial, it’s me. I don’t know what it is about. I’m interested in Johnny Depp as an actor.’
Back on screen: The film is Johnny’s first movie in three years after he sued his ex-wife Amber Heard for defamation in 2019, with the trial taking place last year (Johnny and Amber pictured in 2016)
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