Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter
Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter
The actor, who is back behind the camera after years worth of legal battles with ex-wife Amber Heard, called the production a “transformative experience.”
By Mia Galuppo
Film Writer
Images of have been released of Johnny Depp from the set of Modi, his first directorial effort in over two decades. It stars Al Pacino and recently wrapped production.
Depp is behind the camera after years of legal wrangling and a messy divorce with ex-wife Amber Heard, which included allegations of domestic violence and two high-profile defamation lawsuits. He has largely worked away from Hollywood and in the indie space since Warner Bros. severed ties with him on the Fantastic Beasts franchise in 2020.
In a statement heralding the end of filming, Depp called the project “an incredibly fulfilling and transformative experience.” He added: “I would like to express my profound gratitude to the entire cast, crew, and producers for their unwavering commitment and creativity. To Al, who requested that I make this film — how could I refuse Pacino? A sincere acknowledgement for generously contributing his talent and dedication to this project. Modi is a testament to the collaborative spirit of independent filmmaking, and I am excited to present this unique and compelling story to the world.”
The project is a biopic of Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani, known as “Modi” to his friends, and is based on Dennis McIntyre’s play Modigliani, with a screenplay by Jerzy and Mary Kromolowski.
The synopsis for the story, which takes place over 48-hour period, reads, “On the run from the police, Modi’s desire to end his career and leave the city is dismissed by fellow Bohemians: French artist Maurice Utrillo, the Belarusian-born Chaim Soutine and his English muse and lover, Beatrice Hastings. Modi seeks advice from his Polish art dealer and friend Leopold Zborowski, but the chaos reaches a crescendo when he’s faced with a collector who could change his life.”
Depp’s European production company, IN.2 Films, and producer Barry Navidi are behind the project.
See the behind-the-scenes images below.
Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day
Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day
Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter
Send us a tip using our anonymous form.