Johnny Depp is set to direct his first feature film in 25 years with Modi, about the Italian painter and sculptor Amedeo Modigliani.
Depp, 59, who in June concluded his multi-million-dollar defamation case against his former partner Amber Heard, will co-produce alongside Hollywood great Al Pacino and Barry Navidi.
Based on the play Modigliani by Dennis McIntyre and adapted for screen by Jerzy and Mary Kromolowski, Modi will tell the story of the artist’s time in Paris in 1916.
It will offer a snapshot of a “turbulent and eventful” 48 hours during which, having long considered himself a critical and commercial failure, he solidifies himself as a creative force.
The project aims to start production in spring 2023 in Europe.
Amber Heard and Johnny Depp trial — in pictures
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Amber Heard said last month that she stands by 'every word' of her testimony in her defamation trial, in which she was sued by former husband Johnny Depp. AFP -
NBC journalist Savannah Guthrie interviewed Heard in June following the trial's conclusion. She revealed how her husband Michael Feldman consulted with Depp's legal team. Photo: NBC News -
Heard says she doesn’t blame the jury for awarding Depp more than $15 million after a contentious six-week libel trial — it was later reduced to $10m. AP -
Heard reacts with her lawyer Elaine Bredehoft after the verdict was read at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse, Virginia, US, in June. AP -
Depp was in Newcastle, England, with musician Jeff Beck when the verdict was read. AP -
Heard leaves after the jury's verdict. EPA -
Heard and Depp prior to their wedding. The marriage lasted less than two years. AP -
Heard in a scene from 'London Fields'. Photo: GVN Releasing -
After losing his lawsuit against British tabloid 'The Sun', Depp said he planned to appeal the UK libel ruling, but then decided to sue his ex-wife in the US. AP -
Heard speaking at the 4th Annual Women's March LA: Women Rising in Los Angeles in January 2020. Getty Images / AFP -
Heard leaving the High Court in London in July 2020. Reuters -
A video of Depp plays on a screen before Paul McCartney's performance on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury Festival in June. EPA -
After speaking out about domestic abuse, Amber Heard feared she would lose her roles in the movies 'Justice League' and 'Aquaman', the latter of which she starred in opposite Jason Momoa. Photo: DC Entertainment -
Depp gestures as he arrives at the Parco della Musica venue for the 19th edition of "Alice nella Citta" in Rome, Italy. AFP -
Heard wearing an outfit from Monique Lhuillier at the Golden Globes in 2019. Reuters -
Heard arrives on the red carpet for a Golden Globes ceremony. AFP -
Heard watches the men's semi-final match at Wimbledon in 2018. EPA -
Since the trial, Depp has been playing guitar on stage in front of fans. AP -
Heard at the Film Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica, California, in 2020. Reuters -
Heard attends the Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York in 2016. Getty Images -
Heard wears a creation for the L'Oreal Spring/Summer 2022 fashion show presented in Paris, France, in 2021. AP -
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Helen Mirren and Heard in Paris, France. AP -
After Depp filed a lawsuit against her, Heard testified she lost her contract with L'Oreal. AFP -
Depp inside the courtroom in April at the beginning of the trial. AP -
Heard is styled backstage during Paris Fashion Week in 2021. Getty Images -
Depp performs on stage at the Helsinki Blues Festival in June. EPA -
British rock guitarist Jeff Beck and Depp perform on stage at the Helsinki Blues Festival. EPA -
Depp waves to supporters as he departs the Fairfax County Courthouse after closing arguments. He never returned for the reading of the verdict. AP -
Depp received the Gold Medal of Merit on the occasion of Serbia's Statehood Day in Belgrade, Serbia, in February. Reuters -
Depp and Heard's former penthouse sits on top of Downtown Los Angeles’s famed Eastern Columbia Building and was recently put up for sale. Photo: Douglas Elliman Realty -
There is a saltwater pool on the rooftop. Photo: Douglas Elliman Realty -
There is an additional lounge area on the staircase landing. Photo: Douglas Elliman Realty -
The apartment measures 1,780 square feet. Photo: Douglas Elliman Realty -
The penthouse apartment has one bedroom. Photo: Douglas Elliman Realty -
The kitchen and lounge area. Photo: Douglas Elliman Realty
“The saga of Mr Modigliani’s life is one that I’m incredibly honoured, and truly humbled, to bring to the screen," Depp said.
“It was a life of great hardship, but eventual triumph — a universally human story all viewers can identify with.”
Modi will be his second feature directorial credit after 1997’s The Brave, in which he starred alongside Marlon Brando.
It comes a week after Depp confirmed his first starring role since claiming victory in his now-infamous legal battle with Heard in Fairfax County, Virginia.
He will appear in the film Jeanne Du Barry, produced by French company Why Not Productions.
Mr Depp sued his former partner over a 2018 article she wrote for The Washington Post about her experiences as a survivor of domestic abuse, which his lawyers said falsely accused him of being an abuser.
Pacino, whose numerous credits include The Godfather, Scarface and Donnie Brasco, has previously worked with veteran producer Navidi on various projects, including The Merchant Of Venice (2004), Wilde Salome (2011), and Salome (2013).
Modigliani, who worked mainly in France, is known for his portraits and nudes featuring elongated faces and bodies.
Although not well received during his lifetime, his works have since become highly sought after.
He died of tubercular meningitis in 1920 aged 35 in Paris.
