Maïwenn Rebukes The Independent for Misrepresenting Comments on Johnny Depp’s “Scary” Persona

Director clarifies remarks, citing Depp’s charisma and star status, amid controversy over interview portrayal

Director Maïwenn has taken issue with The Independent’s portrayal of her recent interview, expressing dissatisfaction with the headline that implied her crew was “scared” of Johnny Depp during the filming of “Jeanne du Barry.”

In her interview with The Independent, Maïwenn discussed the challenges of working with Depp, mentioning concerns about his punctuality and adherence to the script. However, she clarified that any perceived fear stemmed from Depp’s “charisma” and “star status,” not his behavior on set.

In a statement to Variety, Maïwenn emphasized that her remark about Depp being “scary” was in reference to his impressive presence and stature in the industry. She criticized the newspaper for misinterpreting her words and emphasized that she holds Depp in high regard.

The controversy arose from claims in The Independent’s profile that Depp deviated from the script and expressed dissatisfaction with certain scenes. Maïwenn revealed that there were challenges with rehearsals due to Depp’s unavailability and noted instances where his accent didn’t align with the character, leading to adjustments in the script.

Despite these challenges, Maïwenn reiterated her respect for Depp and clarified that any difficulties encountered during the filming process were not indicative of his professionalism.

The director’s response underscores the importance of accurate representation in media and highlights the complexities of navigating high-profile collaborations in the film industry.