Maïwenn, director and main actress of Jeanne du Barryreturned to the set with Johnny Depp and the problems linked to the actor’s presence on the set.
Cannes 2024 is arriving, with its share of more or less anticipated films. And a year ago, among the more or less anticipated films, there was Jeanne du Barrya new production by the director of Polish And The Actresses’ Ball (among others). Freely retracing the story of the Countess du Barry, who lived in the 18th century, the film included Johnny Depp in the cast in the role of King Louis XV.
If, over the years, the reputation of the actor’s behavior on the sets has only gotten worse, Maïwenn now adds her two cents: after having been proud to present the film alongside him on the Croisette , the actress-director returned to problems caused during filming by his co-star.
Depp, who considered himself the king of filming
Jeanne du Barry or the filming of hell
It’s in an interview for The Independent that Maïwenn returned to the attitude of the former interpreter of Jack Sparrow, and what she reports is quite edifying:
“I have to be honest. It’s difficult to tour with him. The whole team was scared because he had a different sense of humor, and we didn’t know if he would be on time or if he would be able to say his lines. I mean, even though he was there on set, on time, the crew was afraid of him. »
Love-hate?
Maïwenn explains that Depp often failed to show up on set. “We were waiting for Johnny most of the time…” she explains. The actor also allegedly ignored the director’s calls and messages, and only spoke to her when those around him were present. These various problems forced Maïwenn to cut several lines from the American actor, which obviously did not please her:
“We had no time to rehearse. I asked for this time, but for one reason or another it was not available. He had a coach, but he had not been able to work with her beforehand. So yes, I noticed that his accent was not perfect. So I decided to cut his lines at certain points. But this also happened with French actors. It happens ! »
And always according to The IndependentDepp also frequently returned to the set having rewritten the script, explaining that the original version “That’s not the truth, that’s not how it happened!“Maïwenn remembers an event in particular:
“Johnny came with a new version of the script that I didn’t like. It didn’t work… So I shot the film without making the changes he wanted… which he took as an insult. »
“And then, did you read the script?”
Depp and Maïwenn have no longer maintained contact since the release of Jeanne du Barry. The director can’t really explain it, just like the actor’s behavior, especially because the two got along wonderfully before filming began. “We haven’t had a normal relationship since filming“, she reports. “For me, Johnny is a huge genius but he is in another world. I can’t communicate with him.“
For his part, Johnny Depp now declares that Maïwenn has accomplished “great work on set“, but are these words just a facade? Whatever the substance of this story, it will certainly not be tomorrow that du Barry and Louis XV will make a film together again.
