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BOLD MOVE: Effective today, Disney has a new way to profit from Johnny Depp’s talents. And they still haven’t apologized.

johnny depp minamata jack sparrow
Credit: Canva Creation

Beginning today, Disney has a new means of profiting off of Johnny Depp’s immense talent that has nothing to do with his persona as Captain Jack Sparrow.

(Oh, and Disney still hasn’t apologized to Depp for cutting ties with him solely based on the heinous accusations of his ex-wife Amber Heard, which have since been found to be complete fabrications).

Johnny Depp's Jack Sparrow To Be A Topic Of Fun In The New Pirates Of The Caribbean Film?

Credit: Disney

A MUST READ: Disney refuses to apologize to Johnny Depp. But he’s already gotten the last word, brilliantly

Shortly after Amber Heard began spewing allegations of domestic violence and abuse at the hands of her ex-husband, Johnny Depp, Hollywood began to divide on the subject of the Pirates of the Caribbean actor, not the least of which was Disney.

Several turned their backs on the seasoned actor, and those who did, did so without a single shred of evidence to prove the allegations were true. Instead, they simply walked away and cut ties, and rather than offering Depp an opportunity to be heard, they offered him nothing more than a cold shoulder. It was disgraceful, to say the least.

But Disney seemed to lead the revolt against Johnny Depp. Rather than waiting for the due process of law, waiting for the truth, or attempting to give Depp a chance to tell his side of the story, the House of Mouse turned its back on Depp, even though Depp single-handedly created for Disney a $5 billion enterprise in the form of the Pirates of the Caribbean film franchise, to say nothing of the merchandise sales and profits from Depp’s likeness as Captain Jack Sparrow.

Dig Up New 'Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales' Merchandise Now at Disney Parks | Disney Parks Blog

Credit: Disney Parks

Now Disney has created a new source of revenue based on Depp’s enormous talent. Effective today, one of Johnny Depp’s newest films is streaming on the Disney-owned Hulu streaming platform.

johnny depp minamata

Credit: IMDB

Disney recently purchased the streaming right to the film Minamata (R), directed by Andrew Levitas. The film tells the story of war photographer W. Eugene Smith, portrayed by Johnny Depp, and is based on actual events, according to IMDB:
Minamata debuted in 2020, but it wasn’t released in the United States until 2021. The director of the film, Andrew Levitas, reportedly felt that the film was being unfairly criticized because of the troubles Depp was experiencing in his personal life.
It’s difficult to overlook Disney’s comfort level with associating with Depp–well, his projects, anyway–when they so loudly took a stand of opposition against him. During his defamation trial against ex-wife Amber Heard, Depp testified about the abuse he endured at the hands of the Aquaman actress. A Disney film executive testified via recorded deposition that Depp was released because he sometimes showed up to the set drunk. She further gave accounts of Depp arriving at the set hours later than he was scheduled to arrive.
Johnny Depp laughs as Disney executive asked whether he could be paid 'one  million alpacas' for Pirates role | The Independent

Credit: The Independent

It’s also difficult to overlook the timeline of Disney’s ties-cutting with Depp. It coincided very nicely with Heard’s loud allegations against Johnny Depp. But if Disney released Depp on the basis of those allegations, isn’t it time they apologize for such a presumptive move and bring him back? Further, if Disney doesn’t want that association–whether because of the allegations or because he was sometimes tardy to recording sessions, why do they continue to profit from him via the Pirates film franchise and now, the proceeds from the streaming rights to one of Depp’s newest films?
JOHNNY DEPP MINAMATA

Credit: IMDB

Sounds like a serious case of “having cake and eating it too.” Sorry, Disney, but you can’t have it both ways. Minamata is available to stream on Disney’s Hulu streaming platform beginning July 8.

About Becky Burkett

Becky's from the Lone Star State and has been writing since she was 10 and encountered her first Disney Park when she was 11. It was love at first Main Street Electrical Parade. Joy is blank lined journals, 0.7 mm pens, and all things Walt, Woody and Buzz, PIXAR, Imagineering, Sleeping Beauty (make it blue!), Disney Parks history and EPCOT. At Disney World, you'll find her croonin' with the birdies at the Enchanted Tiki Room or hangin' with Woody and the gang at Toy Story Land. If you can dream, you really can do it!