The Johnny Depp Movie That Was ‘Killed’ by Harvey Weinstein—And Why

In the mid-2000s, Johnny Depp was at an interesting crossroads in his career. After gaining critical acclaim for his unique roles in films like What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, and Ed Wood, Depp had established himself as one of Hollywood’s most idiosyncratic leading men. But even with hits like Donnie Brasco, none of his films had quite lit up the box office in the same way as his later works. That all changed in 2003 with Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, a film that turned Depp into an A-list star with his unforgettable portrayal of Captain Jack Sparrow.

The success of Pirates and its subsequent sequels turned Depp into a major bankable star, with his name attached to projects like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Corpse Bride. However, buried beneath the glitz and glamour of his newfound fame was a passion project, The Libertine (2005), a film Depp had been working on for nearly a decade. Despite his excitement for the project, the movie was doomed to be buried by the studio, leaving Depp disillusioned and disappointed.

The Libertine: A Passion Project That Failed to Launch

The Libertine is a period drama set in 1675, focusing on John Wilmot, the second Earl of Rochester, a notorious libertine known for his excessive behavior, drunkenness, and sexual exploits. The film, which showcased Depp indulging in these vices, was an ambitious exploration of debauchery and excess. However, despite Depp’s enthusiasm for the role and the film’s intriguing premise, The Libertine failed to make any lasting impact at the box office, quickly disappearing after its theatrical release in the United States.

Depp, who had worked tirelessly on the film for over a decade, expressed his frustration with the lack of support from The Weinstein Company, which was responsible for its distribution. In a conversation with FilmInk, Depp admitted, “It wasn’t a good product for them to sell,” acknowledging that the film’s mature themes made it difficult to market, especially given his newfound association with family-friendly blockbusters like Pirates of the Caribbean.

Despite The Libertine‘s impressive cast and Depp’s dedication to the project, the film’s theatrical run was short-lived, and it quickly became one of those films that failed to find an audience. Depp reflected on the experience, describing the process of making the film as “gruelling and exhausting,” but noted that the work done by everyone involved was “very good.” Unfortunately, The Libertine was caught in a storm of mismanagement, and its failure was a bitter pill for Depp to swallow.

Harvey Weinstein’s Role in the Film’s Demise

The lack of promotion for The Libertine left many questioning the true reasons behind its failure. In a revealing 2011 interview with Vanity Fair, Depp explained his conversations with Harvey Weinstein, the notorious film producer behind The Weinstein Company. According to Depp, Weinstein’s blunt assessment of the film’s fate was devastating: “Yeah, he basically said he fucked it,” referring to the film’s burial.

When asked if Weinstein had admitted to making a mistake, Depp clarified, “No. He made a choice. He made a choice to kill it. Which was understandable. I mean, understandable if you look at it from his kind of point of view.” Depp’s comments suggest that Weinstein made a deliberate decision to distance himself from the film, and by doing so, it ultimately faded into obscurity.

This remark from Depp raises questions about the possible role Disney played in the film’s fate. Given Depp’s success with Pirates of the Caribbean, it’s conceivable that Disney—who had a significant stake in Depp’s image as the swashbuckling pirate—might have been less than thrilled about their leading man starring in a raunchy period drama unsuitable for children. Could it be that Disney’s influence on the studio led to a quiet shelving of The Libertine to protect Depp’s brand? Or was it simply a case of Weinstein deciding there was no financial gain to be had from the film and opting to cut his losses?

A Bitter Conclusion

Regardless of the reasons behind the film’s fate, Depp’s candid admission paints a picture of a star whose passion project was sacrificed for reasons beyond his control. “Harvey killed a great film,” Depp concluded in his Vanity Fair interview, reflecting on the lost potential of The Libertine. The film had all the right elements—Depp’s captivating performance, an intriguing historical figure, and a unique story—but it was overshadowed by the corporate decisions and logistical mishaps that led to its failure.

For Depp, The Libertine remains a painful reminder of the cost of fame, studio politics, and the realities of working in Hollywood. While Depp’s career continued to thrive in the years that followed, the story of The Libertine serves as a cautionary tale of a film that never had the chance to truly succeed—buried not by lack of talent or effort, but by the decisions of those behind the scenes.