The Rum Diary is based on Hunter S. Thompson’s first novel of the same name. The novel drew inspiration from the writer’s time working for a magazine in Puerto Rico during the 1960s. The movie featured Johnny Depp in the lead role, and the project was helmed and written by Bruce Robinson. However, Depp had to convince the director to take on the project.
The source material of the film was published in 1998, and Depp came across it during his stay at Thompson’s house in Colorado. While going through the manuscripts, both made a pact to publish the book and later adapted it into a film.
Johnny Depp Pulled Bruce Robinson Out Of Retirement
During an interview, Johnny Depp praised the comedy film Withnail and I, calling it “one of my favorite films of all time.” His love for the film led him to persuade its director, Bruce Robinson, to come out of retirement and helm The Rum Diary, a funny adaptation of Hunter S. Thompson’s autobiographical novel.
Depp said (via Independent):
“I tried for almost 17 years to get Bruce to come out of director’s retirement and do something – and I finally got him.”
Although Thompson saw the launch of his book, his suicide in 2005 prevented him from witnessing the release of The Rum Diary. Depp’s commitment to keeping his promises was demonstrated when he honored his late friend’s final wish to have his ashes launched from a 153-foot cannon while Bob Dylan’s Mr. Tambourine Man, played in the background.
As a longtime fan of Bruce Robinson’s work, he director and writer of Withnail & I, Depp previously asked him to direct the film adaptation of Thompson’s book, but the offer was declined by Robinson. When the opportunity to make The Rum Diary presented itself, Depp yet again requested Robinson to take the director’s seat, this time leading to a successful collaboration. Despite Robinson’s vow to never helm a project again, Depp managed to convince him out of retirement.
Johnny Depp Paid a Big Price Of Making The Film
Johnny Depp and Amber Heard met during the filming of The Rum Diary. Depp later recalled his first meeting with the actress while giving testimony against her in court, saying he was dating Paradis and Heard was seeing van Ree at the time. At the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, he told the audience that he started developing feelings for the actress when they reunited for the press tour of the film.
The couple married in February 2015 in a civil ceremony at their Los Angeles home. A few days after the intimate ceremony, they commemorated their marriage with a bigger celebration on the actor’s private island in the Bahamas.
In 2016, Heard filed for a divorce, seeking to end her 15-month marriage with Depp, citing irreconcilable issues. Five months later, their marriage officially ended, but Depp filed a defamation lawsuit against Heard over her 2018 Washington Post op-ed titled “I spoke up against sexual violence — and faced our culture’s wrath.” On June 1, 2022, a jury of seven people gave their verdict. They concluded that Heard had defamed Johnny Depp in her 2018 op-ed, which did not directly name the actor.
