Johnny Depp director Maïwenn says the crew were “afraid of him” on new film

Maïwenn has opened up about her experience working with Johnny Depp on the historical drama film, Jeanne du Barry.

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Speaking with The Independent, the French director, writer and actor spoke about the film, in which she plays a sex worker in 18th century France, who becomes the mistress to King Louis XV, played by Depp.

Maïwenn also opened up about the crew’s experience of working with the Pirates Of The Caribbean star.

“I have to be honest. It’s difficult to shoot with him,” she shared.

“All the crew were scared because he has a different kind of humour and we didn’t know if he was going to be on time, or if he was going to be OK to say his lines,” she continued.

“I mean, even if he was there on set, on time, the crew were afraid of him.”

She detailed Depp’s accent development for the movie, and how she was led to cut some of his dialogue, saying: “There was no time for rehearsals. I asked for time but, for whatever reason, he wasn’t available”.

“He had a coach, but he couldn’t work with her beforehand,” she continued. “So. OK. I discovered his accent wasn’t perfect. So a few times I decided to cut his lines. But that also happened with the French actors. It happens!”

She expanded on the pair’s relationship since wrapping the film, which was released in the UK and Ireland on April 19, and is set for a US release on May 2.

“There’s been no normal relationship since the shoot,” she said. “Johnny for me is a huge genius but he’s in another world. I cannot communicate with him.”

Maïwenn revealed in the interview that the pair had a close relationship prior to making the film. “Before the shoot, me and Johnny were texting and talking on the phone. It was completely simple and natural.”

As quoted in The Hollywood Reporter, Depp also praised Maïwenn, who co-wrote, directed and produced Jeanne du Barry, saying that she did “a beautiful job on set”.

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