Johnny Depp already in Versailles? 5 things you need to know about his new movie

🗓 8 Aug 2022 | 🇪🇸 Toca para versión en Español

Europe’s being lucky: after Hollywood turned its back on one of the most versatile and money-making actors, Johnny Depp has found a new niche market in European independent film industry.

Johnny Depp and his French teacher, Mathilde Beltran

With the defamation lawsuit against his ex-wife having ended with a veredict in his favour, the multifaceted actor has followed the the same path as recently, when we could see him attending several festivals throughout the old continent, such as in San Sebastián (Spain), Deauville (France) or Karlovy Vary (Czech Republic), presenting much more personal projects as the critically acclaimed Minamata (directed by Andrew Levitas).

After a few months on tour with the virtuous guitarist Jeff Beck, with whom he released an album recently, Johnny Depp focuses back in his interpretive ability. This time he will get into French king Louis XV’s skin in a historical film that seems to be very promising. Keep reading to know all the details about this new project produced in France and named La Favorite:

1. How will Johnny’s role be?

Louis XV, also known as “the well-beloved”, ruled France between 1715 and 1774 (Wikipedia). He succeeded his great-grandfather Louis XIV when he was only 5 years old, after both his father and his grandfather passed away. He lived among the usual opulence of Versailles.

His popularity went down drastically due to his political indiference and his numerous military defeats, so he ended up being known for his artistic and cultural contributions.

Therefore Johnny Depp will assume the task of playing a widely questioned monarch in this historical drama, although he won’t be the main character in this story.

2. Who will be La Favorite’s director and main character?

Actor, screenwriter and director Maïwenn

The historical film will be directed by Maïwenn Le Besco, French actess and filmmaker known for directing films such as Polisse and for his role in The Fifth Element (Luc Besson).

Maïwenn will also assume the main role in her own film so she will play Jeanne du Barry, a young working-class woman, hungry for culture and pleasure, who uses her intelligence and allure to climb the rungs of the social ladder one by one. She becomes the favorite of king Louis XV who, unaware of her status as courtesan, regains through her his appetite for life.

They fall madly in love. Against all propriety and etiquette, Jean moves to Versailles, where her arrival scandalises the court (official synopsis).

3. Then… will Johnny speak French?

Yes, Johnny Depp dares with Molière’s language. In fact, he has been seen recently with his French teacher, who is helping him to improve his accent in order to play his role.

But French is not new for Johnny. After years of being married to Vanessa Paradis and a bunch more living in the south of France, Depp has learnt to speak French pretty fluently.

Johnny Depp speaking French in one of the scenes from “Ils se marièrent et eurent beaucoup d’enfants” (2004) with actor Charlotte Gainsbourg

4. When and where does La Favorite shooting start?

Right now the movie is under pre-production. Filmings started last 26th of July 2022 and they will last at least three months, mainly at the Palace of Versalles (France), the city of Fontainebleau and the Château de Champs-sur-Marne, a French mansion that has served as shooting stage for movies such as Marie Antoinette (Sofia Coppola). Other confirmed locations have been Saint-Ouen, Sceaux y Vaux-Le-Vicomte.

Château de Champs-sur-Marne, one of La Favorite’s filming locations

Still not a cast member has been spotted yet, but it is confirmed Johnny is already in Versailles with their managers. That means we will have some new photos of him very soon.

A casting for kids between 7 and 15 years old was open at the beginning of this year. The crew was looking for some extras to play a role in the movie between May and October 2022. Boys and girls were asked to have long natural hair and light skin.

We will keep you informed about any news relating Johnny Depp’s appearance.

5. When and where will be the movie released?

Johnny Depp as John Wilmot with Rosamund Pike on The Libertine (2004)

2023 will be the year when the film about Louis XV and Jean du Barry will see the light, even though only a French distribution has been confirmed. Later on Netflix will acquire the distribution rights, despite it has been denied that the platform participates financing the project.

Meanwhile here we leave you the opening scene of another Johnny Depp’s historical film: John Wilmot’s monologue, second Earl of Rochester, in The Libertine (2004).