Johnny Depp is stepping back into the Hollywood spotlight, joining forces once again with Penélope Cruz for an electrifying new thriller, Day Drinker. Directed by Marc Webb, this film signals Depp’s major return to studio productions after his highly publicized defamation trial with ex-wife Amber Heard. For Depp, 61, and Cruz, 50, Day Drinker will be their fourth movie collaboration, bringing fresh tension and mystery as they play characters intertwined by a dangerous underworld connection on a cruise ship. Lionsgate, marking its first major collaboration with Depp since 2018’s Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, describes the film as an intense narrative about “a cruise ship bartender and a mysterious day drinker” whose paths cross in dark and unexpected ways.
Depp’s re-emergence into mainstream cinema follows the intense scrutiny of his trial with Heard, 38, who ultimately settled with Depp by paying $1 million. The court battle, which was closely watched by fans and the media alike, resulted in the jury mostly siding with Depp, although Heard did win one of her three defamation counterclaims. Depp’s supporters view Day Drinker as a symbol of his resilience and commitment to his craft, despite recent turbulence.
Penélope Cruz, who has stood by Depp through thick and thin, is also excited to reunite with her long-time co-star. The pair has shared the screen in memorable films like Blow (2001), Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011), and Murder on the Orient Express (2017). Cruz has publicly defended Depp’s character, even submitting a statement during his trial, where she praised him for his kindness, wit, and generosity. “I’ve made three movies with him, and I consider him a great friend,” Cruz stated, emphasizing her belief in his integrity.
Adding to the excitement, Cruz shared a selfie with Depp at the San Sebastian Film Festival, where he was promoting his directorial film, Modi, Three Days on the Wing of Madness, starring Al Pacino. At the festival, Depp spoke about how the experience of the trial allowed him to empathize with his film’s subject, artist Amedeo Modigliani, both navigating turbulent life paths. He noted with a wry smile, “Maybe yours didn’t turn into a soap opera, televised, in fact.”
Earlier this year, Depp made a splash at Cannes with his role in the French historical drama Jeanne Du Barry, directed by Maïwenn. The film was widely anticipated and earned Depp a warm reception from audiences. In addition to Day Drinker, Depp is also working on Johnny Puff: Secret Mission, an animated feature set to expand his diverse portfolio.
For Heard, life has taken a quieter turn; she has relocated to Madrid, Spain, where she focuses on raising her three-year-old daughter, Oonagh Paige. Following the settlement, she has largely stayed out of the public eye, choosing a slower pace far from Hollywood’s intensity.
As Depp sets the stage for a Hollywood return, Day Drinker is shaping up to be an intriguing thriller that could captivate audiences and reignite the chemistry that Cruz and Depp have delivered time and again.
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