It is no secret that Johnny Depp is not only a great musician, but also a pretty talented actor. Starring in franchises such as Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and Pirates of the Caribbean, there is no doubt that Depp is a brilliant entertainer.
While the actor has outdone himself with each on-screen presence, it seems that the Pirates actor has little luck behind the camera. Depp has been involved in a few directorial positions but has found himself unable to work it out the same way he does with his acting. Such was the actor’s directorial chops, that he directed a film, before promptly banning the public from ever seeing it.
Johnny Depp’s The Brave received horrible reviews
Depp found himself directing The Brave in very odd circumstances. The studio’s previous hire for the project, Aziz Ghazal, had committed suicide after killing his wife and child, causing the film to suspend production. However, when the film did come back, the studio convinced Depp to direct it. Speaking to the LA Times, the actor said:
“I felt driven to do this movie. This was one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done. It just about ripped me to shreds.”
The actor allegedly did not care about the negative press that the film garnered eventually. After the release of the film, Depp had brushed off most of the comments, saying:
“I couldn’t care less…I didn’t make this film to entertain people. I’m not an entertainer…I hope people really love it or really hate it”
But clearly, it did get to him. Seeing the overwhelmingly negative criticism of the film, Depp decided not to give the film a wide theatrical release in the United States of America and even blocked the home realize, making it impossible to see the film in today’s day.
The Brave seemed doomed to fail from the beginning
Produced by first-time producers Charles Evans Jr. and Carrol Kemp. the film was initially in the hands of Aziz Ghazal. The story of the film was to follow a Native American protagonist, who signs up for a snuff film to pull his family out of poverty. Depp was initially interested in the plot but found the idea of sacrifice for family intriguing.
A month before the film was to go into production, Aziz Ghazal was found missing, with his thirteen-year-old daughter and estranged wife found dead. A month later, the would-be director’s body was recovered as well. The film immediately shot production, but the 2 producers had every intention of getting the film made.
After finding a way to get the film to Depp, the actor came aboard as the director, making the film by selling international rights and investing not less than $5 million of his money.
