Depp and Cruz Reunite on Historic Film Set
OVIEDO, Spain — Under the vaulted ceilings of the Fine Arts Museum of Asturias, Johnny Depp and Penélope Cruz slipped seamlessly into 1916 Paris. Dressed in period-tailored suits and flowing gowns, the longtime collaborators filmed pivotal scenes for Modì—their fourth shared project and Depp’s passion-driven return to directing after 27 years. The Spanish museum’s galleries transformed into the chaotic world of Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani, with Cruz visibly pregnant to mirror her real-life condition and her character’s tragic history.
A Creative Partnership Rekindled
The film marks 24 years since Depp and Cruz first shared the screen in Blow (2001), followed by Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011) and Murder on the Orient Express (2017). On set in Oviedo, their chemistry felt palpable. Cruz, portraying Modigliani’s muse Jeanne Hébuterne, moved through takes with haunting vulnerability. Depp—both director and actor playing Modigliani’s patron Maurice Gangnat—studied monitors between scenes, his signature mustache and slicked hair embodying the art collector’s intensity. “Johnny understands actors because he’s lived every emotion a script demands,” Cruz later told local press.
Breathing Life into Tragedy
Modì explores Modigliani’s final turbulent days: his fierce rivalry with Picasso, battles with addiction, and tortured love for Hébuterne—who died by suicide days after his death while carrying their child. At Oviedo’s museum, Depp filmed tense sequences where Gangnat fights to preserve Modigliani’s legacy. Outside, vintage Citroëns lined streets temporarily converted to early 20th-century Parisian lanes. Al Pacino, playing journalist Gaston Modot, joined the shoot this week, adding gravitas to the $20 million indie production largely self-financed by Depp.
Spain’s Mixed Embrace
Locals gathered behind barriers near the museum, snapping photos as Depp directed between takes. While some complained of disruptions, others welcomed the economic boost. “They hired 200 Spanish crew members and sourced props locally,” noted café owner Luis Martínez, whose business saw record sales. The regional government actively supported the production, seeing it as cultural promotion. Yet controversy simmered online, with critics questioning Depp’s casting amid past legal battles—a tension the production has ignored.
The Director’s Vision
For Depp, this project is personal. His second directorial effort after 1997’s The Brave reflects his deep connection to misunderstood artists. Crew members describe his style as collaborative yet precise: “He’d whisper adjustments to Penélope between takes, then pivot to camera angles with surgical focus,” shared a set technician. The film aims for raw authenticity, with Cruz’s pregnancy adding visceral layers to Hébuterne’s story.
What’s Next
Filming continues through mid-July, targeting a 2025 festival premiere. Distributors A24 and Neon have expressed interest, drawn by the potent combination of Depp’s comeback narrative and Modigliani’s timeless tragedy. As sunlight faded on the museum’s façade, Depp and Cruz wrapped another emotional scene—two friends channeling history’s shadows, one frame at a time.