Johnny Depp's Hollywood Resurgence: "Day Drinker" Set to Reunite Him with Penélope Cruz

Johnny Depp is set to make a significant Hollywood comeback with "Day Drinker," a thriller that reunites him with Penélope Cruz. This project marks Depp's first major studio film since his highly publicized defamation trial against Amber Heard

Johnny Depp is gearing up for a Hollywood comeback with his latest project, "Day Drinker," which pairs him once again with actress Penélope Cruz. Directed by Marc Webb, this thriller will be Depp's first major studio venture since the tumultuous defamation trial involving his ex-wife, Amber Heard, which garnered widespread media attention.

The film centers around a “cruise ship bartender” and a “mysterious day drinker” whose lives become intertwined as they delve into a criminal underworld. This marks a significant return for Depp, 61, as it will be his first film under a major American studio since his role in 2018’s "Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald."

Depp's defamation trial against Heard, 38, aired live in 2022 and concluded with a jury predominantly siding with him. Following the trial, Heard settled by paying Depp $1 million in December 2022, further concluding a chapter of public scrutiny.

Cruz, 50, has shared the screen with Depp in several notable films, including "Blow" (2001), "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" (2011), and "Murder on the Orient Express" (2017). During the trial, she provided declarations affirming that she had never witnessed Depp engaging in violent behavior, calling him a “great friend” and praising his kindness and talent.

Recently, Cruz posted a selfie with Depp from the San Sebastian Film Festival, where he showcased his directorial work in "Modi, Three Days on the Wing of Madness," featuring Al Pacino. During a press conference at the festival on September 24, Depp humorously referenced his defamation trial while discussing his film's subject, artist Amedeo Modigliani, reflecting on the challenges they've both faced.

In addition to "Day Drinker," Depp has starred in the French film "Jeanne Du Barry," which debuted at the Cannes Film Festival in 2023 and was released in the U.S. earlier this year. He is also involved in an animated project titled "Johnny Puff: Secret Mission."

Meanwhile, Heard has embraced a quieter lifestyle in Madrid, Spain, where she lives with her daughter, Oonagh Paige.