Johnny Depp Opens Up About Directing New FilmModi,Starring Al Pacino: 'I Feel Immensely Fortunate'

Mar. 15, 2025

Johnny Depp on April 15, 2024.Photo:Neil P. Mockford/GettyJohnny Deppis giving audiences new insight into why he stepped behind the camera for his new project.The Depp-directedModi, Three Days on the Wing of Madness,whichstars Riccardo Scamarcio as 20th century artist Amedeo Modigliani, ismaking its world premiereat Spain’sSan Sebastian Film Festivalon Sept. 24. In a recent interview withVariety, Depp, 61, and his producers spoke about the making of the period film — and why Depp was drawn to the subject matter.“Modigliani was, of course, one of the great contemporary artists of all time. But he also represented an era and point of view where new possibilities still existed. His vision fascinates me," Depp told the outlet. “He doggedly walked to the beat of his own drum, and possessed a natural allergy for convention during a time where the norm was being openly challenged across every medium. It would be foolish not to admit that everything Modigliani ever stood for, and continues to stand for, resonates deeply within me."“I feel immensely fortunate to be given the opportunity to, along with a sublime cast and crew, capture his world in three days,” the actor and filmmaker added.Johnny Depp (left) and Al Pacino on set of their new movie ‘Modi’.Sam SarkarModi’s cast also featuresAl Pacino, who produced the movie, Stephen Graham, Al Pacino, Antonia Desplat, Bruno Gouery and Luisa Ranieri. Pacino first spoke with Depp about making a film about Modigliani while they were shooting the 1997 movieDonnie Brasco,reportedVariety.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.As Depp’s IN.2 production company executive Stephen Malit toldVariety, Pacino, 84, “recognized that [Depp] was the right director because he has the sensibility and sensitivity of an artist.“Johnny Depp on the set of his new movie ‘Modi’.Leo Pinter"Johnny was quite surprised, humbled and a bit blown away that Al was asking him to direct this,” Stephen Deuters, the company’s CEO, added. “He wasn’t expecting anyone to ask him to direct a film at that particular moment. We had a lot going on at the time, this was even before COVID, and we just thought it would be a really positive thing for us to do, a slightly unexpected change of direction and something that he could really throw himself into. . . I think Johnny really didn’t believe it was even happening until he landed [on set].“Depp has not directed a movie since 1997’sThe Brave, though he has helmed a number of music videos in the years since. He last appeared on movie screens in 2023’sJeanne du Barry. The movie does not yet have a U.S. release date.

Johnny Depp on April 15, 2024.Photo:Neil P. Mockford/Getty

Neil P. Mockford/Getty

Johnny Deppis giving audiences new insight into why he stepped behind the camera for his new project.The Depp-directedModi, Three Days on the Wing of Madness,whichstars Riccardo Scamarcio as 20th century artist Amedeo Modigliani, ismaking its world premiereat Spain’sSan Sebastian Film Festivalon Sept. 24. In a recent interview withVariety, Depp, 61, and his producers spoke about the making of the period film — and why Depp was drawn to the subject matter.“Modigliani was, of course, one of the great contemporary artists of all time. But he also represented an era and point of view where new possibilities still existed. His vision fascinates me,” Depp told the outlet. “He doggedly walked to the beat of his own drum, and possessed a natural allergy for convention during a time where the norm was being openly challenged across every medium. It would be foolish not to admit that everything Modigliani ever stood for, and continues to stand for, resonates deeply within me."“I feel immensely fortunate to be given the opportunity to, along with a sublime cast and crew, capture his world in three days,” the actor and filmmaker added.Johnny Depp (left) and Al Pacino on set of their new movie ‘Modi’.Sam SarkarModi’s cast also featuresAl Pacino, who produced the movie, Stephen Graham, Al Pacino, Antonia Desplat, Bruno Gouery and Luisa Ranieri. Pacino first spoke with Depp about making a film about Modigliani while they were shooting the 1997 movieDonnie Brasco,reportedVariety.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.As Depp’s IN.2 production company executive Stephen Malit toldVariety, Pacino, 84, “recognized that [Depp] was the right director because he has the sensibility and sensitivity of an artist.“Johnny Depp on the set of his new movie ‘Modi’.Leo Pinter"Johnny was quite surprised, humbled and a bit blown away that Al was asking him to direct this,” Stephen Deuters, the company’s CEO, added. “He wasn’t expecting anyone to ask him to direct a film at that particular moment. We had a lot going on at the time, this was even before COVID, and we just thought it would be a really positive thing for us to do, a slightly unexpected change of direction and something that he could really throw himself into. . . I think Johnny really didn’t believe it was even happening until he landed [on set].“Depp has not directed a movie since 1997’sThe Brave, though he has helmed a number of music videos in the years since. He last appeared on movie screens in 2023’sJeanne du Barry. The movie does not yet have a U.S. release date.

Johnny Deppis giving audiences new insight into why he stepped behind the camera for his new project.

The Depp-directedModi, Three Days on the Wing of Madness,whichstars Riccardo Scamarcio as 20th century artist Amedeo Modigliani, ismaking its world premiereat Spain’sSan Sebastian Film Festivalon Sept. 24. In a recent interview withVariety, Depp, 61, and his producers spoke about the making of the period film — and why Depp was drawn to the subject matter.

“Modigliani was, of course, one of the great contemporary artists of all time. But he also represented an era and point of view where new possibilities still existed. His vision fascinates me,” Depp told the outlet. “He doggedly walked to the beat of his own drum, and possessed a natural allergy for convention during a time where the norm was being openly challenged across every medium. It would be foolish not to admit that everything Modigliani ever stood for, and continues to stand for, resonates deeply within me.”

“I feel immensely fortunate to be given the opportunity to, along with a sublime cast and crew, capture his world in three days,” the actor and filmmaker added.

Johnny Depp (left) and Al Pacino on set of their new movie ‘Modi’.Sam Sarkar

Sam Sarkar

Modi’s cast also featuresAl Pacino, who produced the movie, Stephen Graham, Al Pacino, Antonia Desplat, Bruno Gouery and Luisa Ranieri. Pacino first spoke with Depp about making a film about Modigliani while they were shooting the 1997 movieDonnie Brasco,reportedVariety.

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.

As Depp’s IN.2 production company executive Stephen Malit toldVariety, Pacino, 84, “recognized that [Depp] was the right director because he has the sensibility and sensitivity of an artist.”

Johnny Depp on the set of his new movie ‘Modi’.Leo Pinter

Leo Pinter

“Johnny was quite surprised, humbled and a bit blown away that Al was asking him to direct this,” Stephen Deuters, the company’s CEO, added. “He wasn’t expecting anyone to ask him to direct a film at that particular moment. We had a lot going on at the time, this was even before COVID, and we just thought it would be a really positive thing for us to do, a slightly unexpected change of direction and something that he could really throw himself into. . . I think Johnny really didn’t believe it was even happening until he landed [on set].”

Depp has not directed a movie since 1997’sThe Brave, though he has helmed a number of music videos in the years since. He last appeared on movie screens in 2023’sJeanne du Barry. The movie does not yet have a U.S. release date.

source: people.com