Johnny Depp Makes Public Appearance Following Controversial Dior Campaign

Johnny Depp is slowly returning to the entertainment industry, appearing at the Cannes Film Festival in France shortly after Dior announced a major new deal with the actor.

Depp appeared at the famed film festival to promote his new film, Jeanne du Barry. The 59-year-old wore his long hair down while donning an all-gray suit and multiple rings.

Depp’s role in Jeanne du Barry is his first major part since the defamation trial between him and ex-wife Amber Heard.

In the French-language film, Depp plays King Louis XV opposite actress and the movie’s director, Maïwenn, who plays the title character, a working-class woman who charms her way to being Louis XV’s favorite.

After its screening at Cannes, Jeanne du Barry got a minutes-long standing ovation, as reported by Variety.

At a press conference for the film, Depp, who allegedly arrived 15 minutes late to the event, was asked if he felt “boycotted” by Hollywood amidst his defamation trial.

He said yes, before saying that people were misled by “fantastically, horrifically written fiction” during the trial against Heard, according to People.

Depp added, “You’d have to not have a pulse at that point to feel like, ‘No, none of this is happening. This is actually just a weird joke.'”

“Of course, when you’re asked to resign from the film you’re doing because of something that is merely a bunch of vowels and consonants floating in the air, yeah, you feel a bit boycotted,” he went on.

Depp’s appearance at Cannes Film Festival comes shortly after Dior signed a huge deal with the actor, continuing a partnership with him that began in 2015. Variety reported that the value is estimated to be around $20 million for a three-year partnership.