Johnny Depp struggles to win back Gen Z and millennials after Amber Heard fallout.
It is evident from the severe criticism the Pirates of the Caribbean, actor, 62, is facing for his latest project.
The actor’s newest directorial work, Modi: Three Days on the Wing of Madness a biopic based on the life of Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani, has been met with scathing reviews.
Critics have described the film as ‘an abomination’ and filth.’
It is pertinent to revisit what actually happened with the A-lister over the past few years: The star, who was romantically linked to Kate Moss during the 1990’s faced intense backlash in 2018 when allegations surfaced that he had physically abused his then-wife, actress Amber Heard.
What followed was a highly publicised legal battle. Depp filed a defamation lawsuit against Heard in 2019, to which she responded with a countersuit in 2020.
The court proceedings began in April 2022, and by June, the jury ruled in Depp’s favour.
There was a time when such such controversies were forgotten after the verdict, but in today’s culture-where cancel culture and viral criticism dominate, especially among Millennials and Gen Z-public figures are under relentless scrutiny.
Regaining forming glory after controversy has become an uphill battle.
According to British PR expert Natalie Trice, the version of Johnny Depp that fans once idolised is no longer present. She believes efforts to revive his career are unlikely to succeed anytime soon.
‘The problem is people have long memories, and once you’ve seen someone’s dirty laundry aired in court for weeks, the text messages, the recordings, and the details of a toxic, abusive relationship are shared across the news and social media you can’t unsee it.
‘The mystique has been shattered and his relationship with Amber Heard is as career defining and legacy leaving as role like Pirates of the Caribbean.’
As the dust settles from the courtroom drama, the legacy Depp leaves behind may not be defined by his iconic roles- but by a generation that refuses to forgot.
