Check out Johnny Depp as King Louis XV in Maïwenn’s Jeanne Du Barry

Johnny Depp in ‘Jeanne du Barry’ – Why Not Productions

Why Not Productions has released this first image of Johnny Depp as King Louis XV in French director Maïwenn’s Jeanne du Barry. Maïwenn (The Fifth Element, DNA, Mon Roi) also co-stars as the titular courtesan. She also co-wrote the screenplay with Teddy Lussi-Modeste.

Filming began last month according to Deadline, with locations including Versailles and other chateaux in the Paris region.

This is Depp’s first feature film role in three years.

The film is inspired by the life of Jeanne du Barry, Louis XV’s last royal mistress at the Court of Versaille, after Madame de Pompadour.

Born into poverty, she is a young working-class woman hungry for culture and pleasure who uses her intelligence and allure to climb the rungs of the social ladder one by one.

She becomes Louis XV’s favorite companion. Unaware of her status as a courtesan, he regains his appetite for life thanks to their relationship. They fall madly in love. Against all propriety and etiquette, Jeanne moves to Versailles, where her arrival scandalizes the court.

The French-language period drama also stars Benjamin Lavernhe, Pierre Richard, Melvil Poupaud, Noémie Lvovsky, Pascal Greggory and India Hair.