Johnny Depp to appear at MTV’s Video Music Awards in long-awaited ‘comeback’

Johnny Depp is set to make his first on-camera appearance since his court victory against ex-Amber Heard at a major awards show - but with a twist.

Johnny Depp’s secret “comeback” appearance at the MTV Video Music Awards has been confirmed by industry insiders.

Quoting a source close to the production, The New York Postreported that Depp will make his first appearance at the 2022 ceremony dressed up as a real-life Moon Person – the silver astronaut statue that VMA winners are awarded.

The 59-year-old’s team declined to comment to the Post, but the industry insider was quoted as saying he was confirmed to appear via video.

Depp is “really excited” to appear at the VMAs – and he is “ready for his comeback,” the source said.

Johnny Depp and his then fiance, Amber Heard at the premiere of 3 Days To Kill. Picture: Getty

While he joined rocker Jeff Beck on his summer European tour, this will be Depp’s first on-camera appearance since his highly publicised defamation case against his ex-wife Amber Heard.

Depp will appear during Sunday’s 8pm local time, (10am Monday in Australia), with LL Cool J, Nicki Minaj and Jack Harlow all set to host the show.

Minaj will also receive the Video Vanguard Award, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers will accept the Global Icon Award.

Harlow, Kendrick Lamar and Lil Nas X scored the most nominations, with seven apiece.

Doja Cat and Harry Styles aren’t far behind, with six noms each, while Billie Eilish, Drake, Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift and The Weeknd each scored five nods.

Performers will include Blackpink, J Balvin, Lizzo and Panic! at the Disco.

BOLD CAREER MOVE

Depp has lined up another big gig after winning his explosive defamation trial against ex-wife Amber Heard.

The Pirates of the Caribbean star announced that he will direct a film about Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani and co-produce it with Al Pacino and Barry Navidi.

Johnny Depp will direct his first feature film in 25 years after winning the defamation case against his ex-wife Amber Heard. Picture: AFP

“The saga of Mr. Modigliani’s life is one that I’m incredibly honoured and truly humbled to bring to the screen,” Depp said in a statement to the Hollywood Reporter on Monday local time.

“It was a life of great hardship but eventual triumph — a universally human story all viewers can identify with.”

Al Pacino with Johnny Depp in scene from "Donnie Brasco". Pacino will produce Depp’s directorial project based on the life of painter Modigliani. Picture: Supplied

The film will be the Oscar nominee’s first directorial gig in 25 years, following 1997’s The Brave in which he co-starred with Marlon Brando.

Modigliani, which is based on Dennis McIntyre’s 1980 play of the same name, follows the volatile and impoverished painter and sculptor during a turbulent 48 hours in Paris in 1916 when he is unable to sell his work.

Amedeo Modigliani.

Jeanne Hebuterne, one of Modigliani’s mistresses.

According to sources, Modigliani, who was friends with Pablo Picasso, was known to be a stylish and flamboyant dresser, as well as a habitual drinker and drug user.

The Daily Mail reports that Modigliani was so poor that to avoid paying for food he would strip completely naked in a restaurant after a meal, so he’d be thrown out before the bill arrived.

Modigliani painted his girlfriends and mistresses. Johnny Depp is set to direct a film based on the painter’s turbulent life. Picture: Supplied

According to Modigliani biographer Meryle Secrest, “to say he was loved by women is a laughable understatement. Almost before one affair was over, another began.”

Modigliani was said to have turbulent relationships with women, including public fights with his mistress Beatrice Hastings, one of which ended when he threw her through a window at a party.

It is alleged that another mistress, aged 19, was dragged by Modigliani through Paris by her long auburn hair after a disagreement.

Johnny Depp in “Jeanne du Barry”. Picture: Why Not Productions

Production on the film is reportedly set to begin in Europe in the spring of 2023.

While it is unclear whether Depp will also star in Modigliani, he has already landed his first acting role since the legal win against his ex-wife in June.

After a Virginia jury found that Heard, 36, had defamed Depp, 59, in a 2018 Washington Post opinion piece about sexual violence and ordered her to pay him $US15 million, the Edward Scissorhands star began filming Jeanne du Barry, in which he portrays French King Louis XV, in France in July.

Amber Heard arrives for closing arguments in the Depp v. Heard trial at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia. Picture: AFP

The new credits to Depp’s filmography come after his former talent agent testified in the defamation trial that the actor had lost out on tens of millions of dollars of work due to Heard’s allegations of abuse during their nearly two-year marriage, which ended in 2017.

While sources speculate how both actors must now pick up the pieces of their shattered careers, Depp boasted by far the larger career, having racked up more than $US8 billion in worldwide box office grosses from a body of work including Pirates of the Caribbean, Alice in Wonderland, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Heard is next set to appear in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom and indie film In the Fire.

It comes as Heard is dumping most of her legal team in the defamation case against Depp as she prepares for an appeal.

Her main lawyer, Elaine Bredehoft, is among the legal eagles Heard is dropping.

Instead she has appointed Philadelphia-based Ballard Spahr lawyers David L. Axelrod and Jay Ward Brown.

“We welcome the opportunity to represent Ms. Heard in this appeal as it is a case with important First Amendment implications for every American,” the new lawyers said in a statement.

“We’re confident the appellate court will apply the law properly without deference to popularity, reverse the judgment against Ms. Heard, and reaffirm the fundamental principles of Freedom of Speech.”

– with New York Post