Johnny Depp is marking his return to the big screen.
According to a Bloomberg report, Netflix has acquired the rights to “La Favorite” initiating Depp’s comeback to feature films after winning an arduous defamation trial against his ex-wife Amber Heard.
The streaming giant has reportedly licensed the film’s streaming rights 15 months after its theatrical release. The project is set to be filmed in France. Netflix’s apparent deal will not extend rights beyond the European country.
Additionally, while its acquisition will be used to help finance the production, Netflix will not be involved with the making of the movie.
The “Pirates of the Caribbean” star will play King Louis XV, who preceded the throne before the doomed fate of Louis the XVI who’s monarchy led to the ignition of the French Revolution. Though the movie’s release date has not been announced, it is set to premiere sometime in 2023.
In June, a jury ruled in favor of the “Fantastic Beasts” actor and he was awarded over $10 million and Heard was awarded $2 million in the bombshell dual defamation trial.
In a lengthy statement following his win, Depp said at the time, per TMZ: “Six years ago, my life, the life of my children, the lives of those closest to me, and also, the lives of the people who for many, many years have supported and believed in me were forever changed. All in the blink of an eye.”
He continued, “False, very serious and criminal allegations were levied at me via the media, which triggered an endless barrage of hateful content, although no charges were ever brought against me … And six years later, the jury gave me my life back. I am truly humbled.”
“My decision to pursue this case, knowing very well the height of the legal hurdles that I would be facing and the inevitable, worldwide spectacle into my life, was only made after considerable thought.”
“From the very beginning, the goal of bringing this case was to reveal the truth, regardless of the outcome. Speaking the truth was something that I owed to my children and to all those who have remained steadfast in their support of me. I feel at peace knowing I have finally accomplished that.”
“I am, and have been, overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and the colossal support and kindness from around the world. I hope that my quest to have the truth be told will have helped others, men or women, who have found themselves in my situation, and that those supporting them never give up. I also hope that the position will now return to innocent until proven guilty, both within the courts and in the media.”
“I wish to acknowledge the noble work of the Judge, the jurors, the court staff and the Sheriffs who have sacrificed their own time to get to this point, and to my diligent and unwavering legal team who did an extraordinary job in helping me to share the truth,” he concluded.
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