Johnny Depp Makes Hollywood Comeback, Begins Filming ‘Day Drinker’

Hollywood legend Johnny Depp is officially back in the game, as production has begun on his next feature Day Drinker, his first since leaving the big screen to put an end to his highly publicized legal battles with ex-wife Amber Heard.

Lionsgate unveiled a first-look photo of Depp from the film, according to Variety. The film, which is helmed by Marc Webb—most famous for 500 Days of Summer and Snow White—is reuniting Depp and Penélope Cruz for the fourth time following collaborations on Blow, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, and Murder on the Orient Express.

Per Variety, Outer Banks breakout Madelyn Cline also joins the cast, with Manu Rios, Aron Piper, Juan Diego Botto, and Anika Boyle. The plot follows Cline's character as a bartender on a private yacht who is brought into contact with an enigmatic guest in the form of Depp. They become embroiled in the activities of a sinister criminal figure played by Cruz, uncovering dark ties that no one could have predicted.

The movie is filming in Spain and is supported by producers Erica Lee and Basil Iwanyk of Thunder Road, producers of the John Wick franchise, along with Adam Kolbrenner—whose previous credits include The Tomorrow War, Free Guy, and Prisoners—and Zach Dean, who wrote the original screenplay. Dean and Kolbrenner most recently worked together on The Gorge, which was released by Apple TV+ and Skydance.

Day Drinker is being produced by Thunder Road and IN.2, with Lionsgate handling distribution in association with 30WEST, who are also featured on the list of executive producers. Dan Friedkin, Micah Green, Daniel Steinman, Stephen Deuters, Jason Forman, Sam Sarkar, Marc Webb, Eric Sherman, Sarah Hong, Scott LaStaiti, Christopher Woodrow, Connor DiGregorio, and Adrian Guerra are other executive producers featured on the list.

“I’m excited to be starting production with Johnny, Madelyn, Penelope, and this incredible cast,” Webb shared. “We’re in a beautiful location with a fantastic crew and a thrilling, ferocious story to tell. This is gonna be fun.”