Johnny Depp made a surprise appearance at the 2022 MTV VMAs this past Sunday night.
The actor, 59, appeared in a quick but hilarious cameo toward the beginning of the show, with his face digitally superimposed into the helmet of a floating moonperson.
Johnny Depp Makes Surprise Cameo At 2022 MTV VMAs
“And you know what? I needed the work,” Depp told the crowd at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. He appeared again as the show came back from commercial, quipping, “Hey VMAs, let’s get back to the f—ing music, shall we?”
The appearance comes months after a seven-person jury sided mostly with the actor in the defamation trial against his ex-wife, finding that Amber Heard defamed Depp in her 2018 Washington Post op-ed about domestic violence, though she didn’t mention him by name.
He was awarded more than $10 million in damages. While Heard won one of her three defamation countersuit claims and was awarded $2 million.
Judge Penney Azcarate denied Heard’s request for a mistrial, and after Heard officially appealed the verdict, Depp’s legal team announced that they would also be appealing her countersuit verdict.
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Depp’s upcoming return to acting was announced in early August when WhyNotProductions and France Télévisions shared the first look at his character King Louis XV in the period drama Jeanne du Barry.
The film is directed by French director Maïwenn, who will also star in the film.
Filming for the production began last month in multiple locations in France, including Versailles and Paris.
The film follows the story of the King of France’s last royal mistress Jeanne du Barry, who was born into poverty but managed to climb the social ladder using her intelligence to become Louis XV’s favorite companion, per Deadline.
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Depp is also directing for the first time in over two decades for the upcoming film Modigliani.
Based on Dennis McIntyre’s play of the same name and adapted for the screen by Jerzy and Mary Kromolowski, “Modigliani” takes place in 1916 Paris and tells the story of the Italian-born painter and sculptor Amedeo Modigliani.
Per the film’s release, Modigliani, “long considered by himself a critical and commercial failure, navigates a turbulent and eventful 48 hours that will become a turning point in his life, ultimately solidifying his reputation as an artistic legend.”
“The saga of Mr. Modigliani’s life is one that I’m incredibly honored and truly humbled, to bring to the screen,” Depp said in a statement.