Johnny Depp addresses 'Hollywood's boycott of me' in first interview since losing libel case

Johnny Depp gave his first interview since losing his libel case—and subsequently losing his appeal—against The Sun, and the 58-year-old actor is predictably not happy.

In this new profile published to The Sunday Times on Saturday (Aug. 14), Depp said that he has experienced "a surreal five years" and continued to vaguely address the allegations of abuse and violence levied against him between 2013 and '16 by his ex-wife, Amber Heard (h/t The Associated Press and The Hollywood Reporter). Twelve of the 14 domestic violence counts were ruled to be true by a judge, in conjunction with the lost libel case against The Sun for calling him a "wife-beater."

Depp described "whatever I've gone through" as "the absurdity of media mathematics" and spoke mostly through the framework of what is happening—or rather, not happening—with the release of his latest film, Minamata, in the United States. Minamata was directed by Andrew Levitas, and the biographical drama chronicles war photographer W. Eugene Smith documenting "the devastating effect of mercury poisoning" in Japanese coastal communities in the 1970s.

"We looked these people in the eyeballs and promised we would not be exploitative," Depp said. "That the film would be respectful. I believe that we've kept our end of the bargain, but those who came in later should also maintain theirs. Some films touch people. And this affects those in Minamata and people who experience similar things. And for ... Hollywood's boycott of, erm, me? One man, one actor in an unpleasant and messy situation, over the last number of years? But, you know, I'm moving towards where I need to go to make all that ... To bring things to light."

Jonathan Dean, who penned the profile for The Sunday Times, provided more context: 

"Last month Levitas wrote to MGM, which bought Minamata for the U.S. market but decided not to release it. He accused MGM of being concerned that 'the personal issues of an actor in the film could reflect negatively upon them.' Then the letter got really strong. Levitas accused MGM of failing in its 'moral obligation' to release the film and said it needed to explain to the victims 'why you think an actor’s personal life is more important than their dead children.' He then attached Smith's photos of ghastly deformities that shocked the world 50 years ago."

Dean also clarified that Minamata was filmed and completed in 2019, which was before Depp took The Sun to court for libel and way before the $50 million defamation suit Depp brought against Heard and is scheduled to begin next April.

Those interested can check out this full timeline of Depp and Heard's problematic relationship.