The official trailer for Jeanne du Barry, starring Johnny Depp, has finally been released in the U.S. after the film made a big impact at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. Depp portrays Louis XV, the King of France, in his French debut, and is joined by Maïwenn as Madame du Barry.
After his highly publicized trial against ex-wife Amber Heard in 2022, Jeanne du Barry marks Johnny Depp’s return to acting. Prior to this, Depp’s last film was Minamata in 2020, for which he also served as producer.
Despite receiving a seven-minute standing ovation at Cannes, this French historical drama, written and directed by the female lead Maïwenn herself, did not impress the critics and received mixed reviews.
The trailer, released on April 2, provides a sneak peek into the notorious relationship between the French King and a courtesan that caused a sensation in Versailles during the 18th century.
All You Need to Know About Johnny Depp’s Upcoming Film Jeanne du Barry
Maïwenn, the star, writer, director, and producer of the film, Jeanne du Barry, considers it to be her passion project. In a 2023 interview with Harper Bazaar, she shared that her inspiration for creating a film about this character came from watching Asia Argento in Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette in 2006. She stated:
“As soon as she appeared on screen, I was captivated. I only wanted to stay with her. I read one of her biographies straight away and felt an immediate connection… During all these years, this project has been a dream, a floating object.”
The difficulties in casting the role of King Louis XV were also brought up by the French actress. Maïwenn had previously offered the role to an actor who rejected it three years prior, citing the finalization of the script and claiming that “cinema was dead and that there was only Netflix.”After considering two more actors, one French and one American, the role was ultimately taken on by Johnny Depp.
When questioned about his legal battle with Amber Heard, he replied:
“I chose Johnny Depp for his talent, his private life is none of my business. In fact, the first trial he lost took place after our first meeting. I wondered if he would still have the desire, the energy, the strength, even, to make the film. I wrote to Stephen to ask him the question and his response within a minute was: “The real question is: do you still want it?” My desire was intact.”
Despite being hailed as Depp’s comeback, Jeanne du Barry, the 60-year-old actor disagrees with the term. During a conference at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, he stated:
“I keep wondering about the word ‘comeback’ because I didn’t go anywhere… I’ve been sitting around, so comeback…? It’s almost like I’m going to come out and do a tap dance or some kind of spectacular feat on the table and dance my best for you guys, and hope that you will approve. The notion of something like that is a bizarre mystery.”
Jeanne du Barry is a joint project involving France, Belgium, and the United Kingdom. It tells the tale of a woman of modest rank who strategically uses her charm and intelligence to climb the social ladder. Eventually, she captures the attention of none other than King Louis XV, sparking a scandal within the hierarchical setting of the Royal Court.
The film’s synopsis can be found on the official website of Palace Films.
“The lavish new historical drama from writer/director Maïwenn (Mon Rois, Polisse), JEANNE DU BARRY is freely inspired by the life of the titular rags-to-riches social climber, a working-class woman who became the mistress of King Louis XV, played with taciturn command by Johnny Depp in his first French-language speaking role.”
Despite being released in France on May 16, 2023, Jeanne du Barry will not hit North American theaters until May 2, 2024.
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