Johnny Depp is set to grace the silver screen once again, this time as French royalty. The actor stars as King Louis XV in the upcoming historical drama “Jeanne du Barry”. This exclusive trailer, premiering with Entertainment Weekly, offers a glimpse into the period piece, a project filmmaker Maïwenn has nurtured for nearly two decades.

Maïwenn’s fascination with the story began in 2006 after watching Sofia Coppola’s “Marie Antoinette.” Intrigued by the character of Jeanne du Barry (played by Asia Argento), Maïwenn has dreamt of bringing her story to life ever since.

The real Jeanne du Barry, an illegitimate daughter of a seamstress, defied societal norms with her intelligence and charm. She rose through the ranks of high society, ultimately becoming King Louis XV’s favorite courtesan. Despite facing disapproval for her humble background and unconventional position at court, Jeanne’s influence remained strong.

This film marks Depp’s first on-screen appearance since his defamation lawsuit win against Amber Heard. However, Depp himself downplays the idea of a comeback, stating, “I keep wondering about the word ‘comeback’ because I didn’t go anywhere.”

Embodying the role of the 18th-century French monarch goes beyond elaborate costumes. Depp, along with the rest of the cast, delivers his lines entirely in French. He acknowledges the challenge, explaining the rigorous training he underwent to speak the language authentically for the film.

Catch “Jeanne du Barry” on the big screen starting May 2nd in select U.S. and Canadian theaters. The screenings will kick off with a special pre-recorded interview featuring Johnny Depp discussing the film.