Johnny Depp Transforming for New Role in ‘Day Drinker’

SPAIN — Production has officially commenced on the highly anticipated thriller Day Drinker, directed by Marc Webb and starring Johnny Depp, Madelyn Cline, and Penélope Cruz. The announcement by Lionsgate on April 14 was coupled with the release of a first-look image featuring Depp, 61, who appears nearly unrecognizable, holding a drink and looking ominously off-camera.

In the film, Depp plays a mysterious guest aboard a private yacht who encounters a bartender, portrayed by 27-year-old Cline. The duo becomes embroiled with a criminal figure, played by Cruz, a collaboration that reunites the pair after previous shared projects like Blow (2001) and Murder on the Orient Express (2017).

Webb expressed his excitement about the project, stating, “I’m excited to be starting production with Johnny, Madelyn, Penélope, and this incredible cast. We’re in a beautiful location with a fantastic crew and a thrilling, ferocious story to tell. This is gonna be fun.”

The cast is further complemented by new additions Manu Ríos, Arón Piper, Juan Diego Botto, and Anika Boyle, enhancing an already diverse ensemble. Ríos, known for his role in the Netflix series Élite, and Piper, who has appeared in several successful Spanish dramas, join the production as it gears up for a significant release in 2026.

Depp’s transformation for the role is striking; he sports a bushy gray beard and salt-and-pepper hair, along with blue or green contact lenses, distinct from his natural brown. His character wields charm with a bespoke navy suit and a cocktail in hand, setting the stage for an intriguing narrative.

After a tumultuous few years marked by legal battles with ex-wife Amber Heard, Day Drinker represents Depp’s return to mainstream Hollywood after his last major film, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018). Despite his recent involvement in projects like Jeanne du Barry, his focus on commercially viable films has been lacking.

In a previous statement, Depp reflected on his time away from the spotlight, saying, “I keep wondering about the word ‘comeback’ because I didn’t go anywhere. Maybe people stopped calling out of whatever their fear was at the time.” His current film will shed light on whether this shift in perspective will captivate a new audience.

Depp has long been a beloved actor in Hollywood, earning three Academy Award nominations without a win. His career, propelled by iconic roles, is hoping for revival with this upcoming project. As production continues in Spain, anticipation grows for how he will navigate these waters.

With a plot centered on unexpected connections and potential criminal undertones, Day Drinker is set for release sometime next year, aiming to reignite Depp’s long-standing prominence in the film industry.