In the last six months Johnny Depp‘s latest film, Minamata, has lost its release date. The upcoming biopic is due to tell the story of photographer W Eugene Smith, who documented the effects of mercury poisoning on the citizens of Minamata, Japan. The movie was due to be released worldwide at some point last year, but it has since been pushed back to a “TBA” release date. In a brand new interview, Depp has spoken out about this event, condemning his employers’ actions.

Speaking about Minamata and the devastating true story, Depp explained: “We looked these people in the eyeballs and promised we would not be exploitative. That the film would be respectful.

“I believe that we’ve kept our end of the bargain, but those who came in later should also maintain theirs.”

He went on: “Some films touch people. And this affects those in Minamata and people who experience similar things.” (Via The Sunday Times)

The Pirates of the Caribbean star then addressed the “boycott” of himself following a legal battle with Amber Heard.

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Depp continued: “And for anything… For Hollywood’s boycott of me? One man, one actor in an unpleasant and messy situation, over the last number of years?”

The interview explained that Depp trailed off, before adding: “But, you know, I’m moving towards where I need to go to make all that… To bring things to light.”

The “messy” situation Depp is referring to are the claims of being a “wife-beater” from his ex-wife, Heard.

After being accused by a British publication, Depp and Heard engaged in a legal battle.

Depp ultimately lost the case in November 2020.

Since the legal suit came up, the actor has been asked to step down from his role of Gellert Grindelwald in the Fantastic Beasts series.

The Harry Potter spin-off had Depp as the main antagonist, changing the flow of the series going forward.

Meanwhile, it has been rumoured he has also been dropped from Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean series.

Depp has played Captain Jack Sparrow since 2003 in five films – however, his time could be over.

No official word has yet been given by Disney about the future of Depp’s position in the series.

Despite this, a petition has been started by his fans to bring him back onto the project.

The petition is titled: “We want JOHNNY DEPP back as CAPTAIN JACK SPARROW.”

In the meantime, Margot Robbie has been confirmed to star in an upcoming reboot of the Pirates of the Caribbean series.

The upcoming film is said to include a lot of “girl power”.

Robbie added: “It’s too early to talk about it … I’m not a producer on Pirates, so I’ll sit back and kind of wait for the process. We’re really, really excited at the prospect of adding obviously a very key female element to that world.”

The Pirates of the Caribbean films are available on Disney Plus now.

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