Johnny Depp Does Not 'Have Any Ill Feelings Toward Anyone' 2 Years After Amber Heard Trial: 'Why Carry That Baggage?'

Mar. 15, 2025

Johnny Depp on Oct. 26, 2024.Photo:Daniele Venturelli/WireImage

Daniele Venturelli/WireImage

Johnny Deppis clarifying his recent statement that his life turned into a “soap opera” during his highly publicized court battle with ex-wifeAmber Heard.While speaking withThe Hollywood Reporterat the Rome Film Festival over the weekend to promote his new movie as a director,Modi: Three Days on the Wing of Madness, Depp, 61, responded to that specific comment, which he made at the San Sebastian Film Festival in Spain on Sept. 24.“Honestly, I can sit here this very second and think about all the hit pieces, and how everybody was against me, and yeah yeah yeah he is off the map … endless stuff. I can remember it all,” he said. “Went through it all. Some of it was not the most beautiful time, some of it was hilarious. Some of it was mad.“Depp has scarcely worked in Hollywood in the last six years amid the lead up to and during his 2022 defamation trial with Heard, 38, who now lives aquiet life in Madrid, Spain, with her 3-year-old daughter, paid Depp $1 million in a settlement to conclude the defamation lawsuit after a jurysided mostly with Depp.“The thing is, it simply just was, and it simply just is. So, for me, it happened. I learned, man. Everything that we experience, whether you’re given a snow cone or walking your dog, you learn something somewhere along the way,” Depp toldTHR. “So I don’t have any ill feelings toward anyone. I don’t have this great reserve of hatred, because hatred requires caring. Why carry that baggage?“Johnny Depp on Oct. 26, 2024.Ernesto Ruscio/GettyMost recently, Depp starred in the 2023 French movieJeanne du Barry; he also has an upcoming movie in the works with filmmaker Terry Gilliam, in addition toModi, Depp’s first project as a director since 1997’sThe Brave. He’s also stayed busy with other artistic pursuits, including a currently-running exhibition in New York City titledA Bunch of Stuff.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.“I had a few bouts with Hollywood over their particular easy way and the fluid three-act structure and all the stuff that is predictable,” the actor added, whenTHRasked how he feels about Hollywood currently. “And I am sorry, but I had to get in there and whip it around a little bit…“Johnny Depp on Oct. 26, 2024.Elisabetta A. Villa/WireImageDeppreceived a lifetime achievement awardat the Rome Film Festival on Saturday, Oct. 26 as he promotedModi, which featuresAl Pacino, who produced the movie, Stephen Graham, Antonia Desplat, Bruno Gouery and Luisa Ranieri.As the actor toldTHR, Pacino, 84, originally wanted to direct the film in the 1990s and told Depp he wanted him to play the central role while the two made their 1997 thrillerDonnie Brasco. “Then it disappeared,” Depp said, until Pacino called him “20-plus years later” to ask Depp to direct it instead.

Johnny Deppis clarifying his recent statement that his life turned into a “soap opera” during his highly publicized court battle with ex-wifeAmber Heard.

While speaking withThe Hollywood Reporterat the Rome Film Festival over the weekend to promote his new movie as a director,Modi: Three Days on the Wing of Madness, Depp, 61, responded to that specific comment, which he made at the San Sebastian Film Festival in Spain on Sept. 24.

“Honestly, I can sit here this very second and think about all the hit pieces, and how everybody was against me, and yeah yeah yeah he is off the map … endless stuff. I can remember it all,” he said. “Went through it all. Some of it was not the most beautiful time, some of it was hilarious. Some of it was mad.”

Depp has scarcely worked in Hollywood in the last six years amid the lead up to and during his 2022 defamation trial with Heard, 38, who now lives aquiet life in Madrid, Spain, with her 3-year-old daughter, paid Depp $1 million in a settlement to conclude the defamation lawsuit after a jurysided mostly with Depp.

“The thing is, it simply just was, and it simply just is. So, for me, it happened. I learned, man. Everything that we experience, whether you’re given a snow cone or walking your dog, you learn something somewhere along the way,” Depp toldTHR. “So I don’t have any ill feelings toward anyone. I don’t have this great reserve of hatred, because hatred requires caring. Why carry that baggage?”

Johnny Depp on Oct. 26, 2024.Ernesto Ruscio/Getty

Ernesto Ruscio/Getty

Most recently, Depp starred in the 2023 French movieJeanne du Barry; he also has an upcoming movie in the works with filmmaker Terry Gilliam, in addition toModi, Depp’s first project as a director since 1997’sThe Brave. He’s also stayed busy with other artistic pursuits, including a currently-running exhibition in New York City titledA Bunch of Stuff.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“I had a few bouts with Hollywood over their particular easy way and the fluid three-act structure and all the stuff that is predictable,” the actor added, whenTHRasked how he feels about Hollywood currently. “And I am sorry, but I had to get in there and whip it around a little bit…”

Johnny Depp on Oct. 26, 2024.Elisabetta A. Villa/WireImage

Elisabetta A. Villa/WireImage

Deppreceived a lifetime achievement awardat the Rome Film Festival on Saturday, Oct. 26 as he promotedModi, which featuresAl Pacino, who produced the movie, Stephen Graham, Antonia Desplat, Bruno Gouery and Luisa Ranieri.

As the actor toldTHR, Pacino, 84, originally wanted to direct the film in the 1990s and told Depp he wanted him to play the central role while the two made their 1997 thrillerDonnie Brasco. “Then it disappeared,” Depp said, until Pacino called him “20-plus years later” to ask Depp to direct it instead.

source: people.com