A-list star makes big studio comeback in ‘unrecognisable’ new film role

This Hollywood blockbuster star is making his return to the big screen, undergoing a huge transformation for his latest film role.

Johnny Depp transformed into a silver fox for his Hollywood comeback.

Lionsgate announced Monday that production was underway on the Marc Webb-directed thriller Day Drinker and shared a photo of Depp on set with a drink in his hand.

The 61-year-old Pirates of the Caribbean star looked unrecognisable with a full grey beard and blue contact lenses in place of his dark brown eyes.

He traded his signature shaggy brunette hair for a full salt-and-pepper look.

Johnny Depp in the upcoming film Day Drinkers. Picture: Lionsgate

Although Depp starred in the French historical drama Jeanne du Barry in 2023, the upcoming film marks his first movie from a major distributor since 2018’s Harry Potter spin-off Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.

He plays a “mysterious” guest on-board a private yacht who “forms an unlikely bond with a grieving bartender,” played by Madelyn Cline, according to IMDb.

The two “soon find themselves entangled with a criminal figure,” played by Depp’s longtime collaborator Penelope Cruz.

The Edward Scissorhands star and Cruz, 50, previously co-starred in 2001’s Blow, 2011’s Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and 2017’s Murder on the Orient Express.

Depp stepped back from Hollywood after his defamation trial. Picture: Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images

The actor, pictured in 2022, has been quietly living in London. Picture: Noam Galai/Getty Images for SiriusXM

Depp took a step back from Hollywood amid his highly publicised defamation trial with ex-wife Amber Heard in 2022.

The Alice in Wonderland star won all three counts against Heard, 38, over a 2018 op-ed she wrote alleging domestic abuse. He was awarded $US15 million in damages, which was later reduced to $US10.3 million.

Although the jury mostly sided with Depp, the actress also won one of her three defamation counterclaims and was awarded $US2 million in damages.

While Heard appealed the decision, the two later agreed to a settlement that saw her pay the actor $US1 million, which he donated to charity.

The Aquaman actress has since left Hollywood behind and now lives in Spain.

Depp and ex-wife Amber Heard both suffered major career setbacks amid their messy divorce. Picture: Ian Gavan/Getty Images

Depp, for his part, moved to a “quiet” neighbourhood in London, where he has been “prioritising his health and wellbeing.”

“He’s taking advantage of being in this better headspace,” an insider told People last year. “There’s a lot of good energy, and he surrounds himself with a good group of people.

“It is more of a quiet life, but filled with painting and music,” they added. “He’s jamming out with friends and playing solo in times when he’s not focused on filmmaking.

While Depp laid low for a while after the trial, he is ready to get back to work on the big screen.

However, he doesn’t view his return as a “comeback,” previously telling journalists that he doesn’t “feel much further need for Hollywood.”

“I keep wondering about the word ‘comeback,’ because I didn’t go anywhere,” he said. “Maybe people stopped calling out of whatever their fear was at the time, but I didn’t go anywhere.”

He added, “Saying ‘comeback’ is almost like I’m going to come out and do a tap dance — dance my best and hope you approve.”

Day Drinker is expected to come out sometime next year.

This story originally appeared on New York Post and was reproduced with permission

Originally published as A-list star makes big studio comeback in ‘unrecognisable’ new film role