Johnny Depp’s Unconventional Comeback: Playing a Gibberish-Speaking Puffin

Post-defamation suit victory, Depp takes on unique role in animated feature

Johnny Depp is navigating his way back into the limelight following his 2022 defamation lawsuit win against ex-wife Amber Heard. His latest venture? Voicing a gibberish-speaking puffin in an animated film.

Though many fans hoped for his return as Captain Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, a reboot remains uncertain despite producer Jerry Bruckheimer’s interest. Instead, Depp, 61, starred in the 2023 period drama Jeanne du Barry, portraying Louis XV. The film, which premiered at Cannes, received mixed reviews.

Continuing his exploration of diverse roles, Depp now lends his voice to the animated feature Johnny Puff: Secret Mission. This isn’t his first foray into animation; he’s previously voiced characters in Corpse Bride (2005) and Rango (2011). In Johnny Puff: Secret Mission, Depp plays a fedora-wearing puffin in the Arctic who battles the villainous Otto von Walrus.

In a promotional featurette, Depp shared his creative process for the character, saying, “I thought it would be great to invent a language for the character. I thought the only move now is to mix my dialogue with the actual sound of a puffin.” The result is a unique performance with the puffin speaking in a mix of gibberish and bird sounds, including phrases like “Rama-lama-yama.”

Johnny Puff: Secret Mission is a spinoff of the streaming series Puffins, produced by Rome-based Iervolino Entertainment. The series, which premiered in 2020, also features Depp’s vocal talents. The film will debut in seven U.S. theaters on July 12, including Los Angeles but not New York, before becoming available on Fandango at Home, iNDEMAND, Dish Network, and DirecTV on July 17.