Why Johnny Depp's Newest Directorial Project 'Modigliani' Is Going To Keep Him Sane

Johnny Depp is returning to the big screen as a director rather than an actor.

Depp will direct "Modigliani" for the first time in 25 years, and production will begin next year.

The film will be based on Dennis McIntyre's 1979 stage play of the same name.

It takes place in 1916, during a difficult era in the artist's life.

The film will be Depp's second as a filmmaker, following his first, "The Brave," in 1995, in which he co-starred with Marlon Brando.

This comes after the "Pirates of the Caribbean" star won his defamation lawsuit against Amber Heard, with a Virginia-based jury ruling that the "Aquaman" actress defamed him. She wrote an op-ed for The Washington Post describing her experience as a survivor of domestic violence.

Though Depp has already won legally and through social media, Heard is apparently going to appeal the ruling, for which she has already assembled an updated legal team, removing Elaine Bredehoft from her roster.

While Heard is preoccupied with that, Depp will concentrate on his work, with a source telling Hollywood Life that his directing project will be the ideal distraction from his ex-attraction. wife's

According to the insider, "He knows Amber is still working on an appeal of the decision, but he tries not to think about it too much. He has complete faith in his legal team and believes they will do all possible to fight for him."

Amber Heard's team publicly indicated their intention to appeal the ruling, which they did a month later.

During the time, an actress spokesman stated, "We feel the court committed mistakes that prohibited a reasonable and fair decision consistent with the First Amendment."

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Though Johnny Depp has been busy with other projects and music, directing behind the camera is something he has apparently wanted to do for a long time.

While the appeals are being heard, Depp has accomplished a lot in the months since winning the six-week blockbuster trial.

He ended touring with Jeff Beck at the end of July, but has been filming in Paris, France for the film "Jeanne du Barry."

His involvement in the film is said to be his first main role since winning the defamation trial.

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