Johnny Depp Returns to Director’s Chair with “Modi,” Set for November North American Release
Al Pacino-Backed Biopic on Famed Artist Amedeo Modigliani Marks Depp’s First Feature Film Direction in 27 Years
Los Angeles, CA – October 7, 2024 – After a 27-year hiatus from feature film directing, acclaimed actor Johnny Depp, 62, is set to bring his latest directorial effort, “Modi: Three Days on the Wings of Madness,” to North American theaters on November 7. The highly anticipated biopic, which chronicles a pivotal period in the life of renowned Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani, was acquired for distribution by Vertical, with the news officially announced by Depp’s production company, In.2 Film, via Instagram on Monday, October 6. Deadline was the first to report the upcoming release.
“Modi” marks Depp’s second feature film as a director, following his 1997 debut, “The Brave,” which he also co-wrote and starred in alongside Marlon Brando. This latest project plunges audiences into a dramatic three-day period in the life of Amedeo Modigliani, portrayed by Italian actor Riccardo Scamarcio, 45. The narrative unfolds in war-torn Paris in 1916, a city reeling from the Great War, yet still a vibrant, if chaotic, hub for bohemian artists. Modigliani, then 32, is depicted as being at a crossroads: on the run from the police, he yearns to abandon his career and leave the French capital. His fellow artists, however, dismiss his despair. The film’s synopsis promises a crescendo of events as Modi grapples with a life-altering encounter with a potential art collector. Modigliani’s life was tragically cut short at the age of 35 in 1920, leaving behind a distinctive legacy of elongated figures and striking portraits.
The film boasts an impressive ensemble cast, including Hollywood icon Al Pacino, 85, who takes on the role of influential art collector Maurice Gangnat. Notably, it was Pacino himself who reportedly encouraged Depp to direct the project. Rounding out the cast are Antonia Desplat, Bruno Gouery, Ryan McParland, and Benjamin Lavernhe. The screenplay, adapted from Dennis McIntyre’s original play, was penned by Jerzy Kromolowski, Mary Olson-Kromolowski, and McIntyre.
Depp has expressed profound personal connection to the project. “Embarking on this cinematic journey as the director of Modi has been an incredibly fulfilling and transformative experience,” he stated in January. Production for “Modi” concluded in Budapest in November 2023, with Depp taking to Instagram to thank his “dear Modi film family” for their “exceptional efforts.” He later reiterated his gratitude, particularly towards Pacino, in January 2024, acknowledging the legendary actor’s “sincere acknowledgment for generously contributing his talent and dedication to this project.” Depp emphasized that “Modi is a testament to the collaborative spirit of independent filmmaking.”
Prior to its North American theatrical run, “Modi: Three Days on the Wings of Madness” has already garnered international attention, having premiered at prestigious European cinematic events, including the San Sebastián Film Festival and the Rome Film Festival earlier in 2024. The upcoming release promises to be a significant moment for Depp’s career as he steps back behind the camera to tell a compelling historical narrative.
