Johnny Depp speaks out about ‘comeback’ after receiving 7-minute standing ovation for new movie

The actor’s new film debuted at the Cannes film festival

Johnny Depp has spoken about his ‘comeback’ after receiving a seven-minute long standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival.

The Pirates of the Caribbean actor had been on hiatus, following his high-profile divorce Amber Heard – which resulted in multiple libel lawsuits.

Having had his private life so prominent in the public eye, Depp revealed that he had mixed feelings about the term ‘comeback’ and even joked that he’d had ’17 comebacks’ during his career.

Earlier this week, Depp returned to the big screen as King Louis XV in Jeanne du Barry, which portrays an affair between the French monarch and the titular character.

While the high-brow historical drama may be a big departure from his regular blockbusters, it debuted to rave reviews and gained a seven minute standing ovation at Cannes earlier this week – with critics calling it his ‘comeback’.

Though actors like Brendan Fraser have been delighted by their comebacks (long may Brenaissance continue), Depp has revealed that he feels more mixed about the phrase.

It was during a press conference at Cannes that Depp made the confession and said that felt it was ‘a bizarre mystery’.

Twitter/@variety.

When asked whether he approached acting differently now, he joked that he ‘lied more’ before revealing how uncomfortable the term made him feel.

He then told press: “People have seen or heard this word ‘comeback’ exchange by folks.”

Continuing, the Hollywood star became lost and then said:

“It keeps being used as a catchphrase… he’s making a comeback.”

The 59-year-old then spoke about how people fade from the spotlight for various reasons and how they are suddenly expected to perform upon returning.

“After whatever experience, not only myself but other people experience… Suddenly, the film comes to the Cannes and this wonderful new word…” he responded, joking:

“I’ve had my 17th comeback, apparently.”

In a pointed moment, he said: “I keep wondering about the word ‘comeback.’ I didn’t go anywhere…”

The Sweeney Todd actor is usually incredibly private but revealed that he lived just ’45 minutes’ away, making the whole experience even strange for him.

“Maybe people stopped calling out of whatever their fear was at the time. But I didn’t go nowhere,” he confessed.

Depp then said that the word ‘comeback’ was a ‘bizarre mystery’ to him, especially considering that he’d never really left acting.