In a recent profile published by Vanity Fair, it was revealed that Hollywood actor Johnny Depp has developed a close bond with Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, commonly known as MBS. Depp, famous for his roles in movies such as Pirates of the Caribbean, has spent a significant amount of time in Saudi Arabia over the past year, immersing himself in the country's cultural renaissance under the leadership of MBS.
During his visits, Depp had the opportunity to explore various regions of Saudi Arabia and engage with its people, who warmly shared their culture, traditions, and stories with him. Initially somewhat unaware of the transformations taking place in the region, Depp expressed his admiration for the cultural revolution happening in Saudi Arabia. 'Though I admit I was somewhat naïve at first to what was transpiring in the region, I've since experienced firsthand the cultural revolution that is happening there,' he shared with Vanity Fair.
The relationship between Depp and MBS has already led to collaborative endeavors. The Red Sea Film Foundation, through its financing arm, has provided support for Depp's directorial venture, Modi, a biographical film based on the life of Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani and starring Al Pacino. Additionally, the Red Sea Film Festival in Saudi Arabia offered postproduction financing for Depp's period drama, Jeanne du Barry, which subsequently premiered at the Cannes Film Festival as part of a potential career resurgence for the actor after his highly publicized divorce from actress Amber Heard.
During the profile interview, Depp also mustered the courage to ask MBS about the tragic fate of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was murdered and dismembered by Saudi agents in 2018. The profile claims that MBS viewed Khashoggi as a rogue operative collaborating with the country's adversaries to undermine the prince's reform agenda. Although MBS denied giving the order for Khashoggi's killing, he ultimately took responsibility for the incident.
As a result of their friendship, Depp has been recruited by MBS and Saudi Arabia to bolster the country's legitimacy within the global film community. For Depp, this association presents an opportunity to restore his tarnished brand following a defamation case in which British courts ruled against him in a lawsuit filed against The Sun for labeling him a 'wife-beater.' However, Depp attained a legal victory in a defamation suit he filed in the United States against Amber Heard, with the court awarding him over $10 million.
The evolving alliance between Depp and MBS signifies the desire of both parties to enhance their respective reputations. Depp seeks to rebuild his public image, while Saudi Arabia seeks to establish itself as a significant player in the film industry. With Depp potentially becoming a global cultural ambassador for the country, it remains to be seen how this partnership will unfold and what new projects and collaborations it may bring.
