Johnny Depp fans gathered along the Croisette, shrieking and snapping photos of the embattled movie star as he graced the world’s most famous red carpet. “Jeanne du Barry,” which marks Depp’s first leading film role in three years, since ongoing legal battles with ex-wife Amber Heard stalled his Hollywood career, opened the 76th edition of the Cannes Film Festival.
Depp recently won a defamation case in the U.S. against Heard, who was ordered to pay the star $10 million in damages, and is trying to mount a comeback.
But the move has been criticized by some and embraced by others, including Cannes chief Thierry Fremaux, who said earlier in the festival “I also care about Johnny Depp as an actor.” As Depp, sporting a slicked back ponytail and shades, exited his black car, shrieks echoed throughout the sprawling complex that houses the festival, with fans extending photos for the actor to sign, while screaming, “Johnny, Johnny, Johnny.” “We support you,” one young woman cried as she tried to get Depp’s attention.
Inside the theater, where most audience members were seated long before the stars strutted in front of the media and fans, Depp’s arrival was greeted with stoney silence.
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