Veteran actor Johnny Depp is feeling optimistic about his future after recently accepting a prestigious award. The Daily Mail reports that Depp recently appeared in Belgrade, Serbia during a ceremony honoring Serbian Statehood Day. This was because the actor had been involved with many projects in the area. At the ceremony, Depp was awarded wuith a Gold Medal of Merit by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, who cited Depp’s “outstanding merits in public and cultural activities, especially in the field of film art and the promotion of the Republic of Serbia in the world.”
“I truly, sincerely thank you, President Vucic, and this medal of merit, if I am given the honor to walk away with this, I thank you for being kind enough to bestow it upon me,” Depp said.
Humbled by the award, Depp also addressed what it means to him and how it could better shape his future. The former Fantastic Beasts franchise star has been publicly feuding with ex-wife Amber Heard in a legal battle with each accusing the other of abuse during their tumultuous marriage. It has resulted in some career setbacks for Depp, but coupling the support he’s been consistently receiving with this new Serbian award, the actor appears to be looking forward to good times ahead.
“Right now [I’m] on the verge of a new life,” Depp explained. “I like a re-beginning, and I would love for that beginning to start here.”
Johnny Depp Lost Some Big Roles But Hasn’t Stopped Working
Samuel Goldwyn Films
Johnny Depp has said that his troubles with Amber Heard has cost him his roles in the Pirates of the Caribbean and Fantastic Beasts movie franchises. This plays a big part in his defamation lawsuit against Heard as he says her allegedly false allegations have cost him tens of millions of dollars. The actor also says the situation has affected other movies he’d shot, such as the film Minamata. That movie had been released internationally, though Depp and the film’s director, Andrew Levitas, claimed MGM was keeping the film from being released in the United States. It has since gotten its stateside release thanks to a switch in distributors.
“In 2019, just before the pandemic struck, we made a film about giving a voice to those that have none. Such a theme feels more important today than ever. With all love and respect to the strong, beautiful and brave people of Minamata. Their story is out in U.S. theaters today,” Depp wrote on Instagram when the film was released in February.
Many of Depp’s fans had also been pushing for Minamata to get the Fan Favorite award at the Academy Awards this year. It was the latest effort of his fans who have continued to stand by Depp, often through part of a social media campaign referred to as #JusticeForJohnnyDepp. His fans say that the actor is innocent of the accusations leveled against him, all of which will be publicly detailed in Depp’s upcoming defamation trial against Heard.
