Entertainment - Media News Watch originally published at Entertainment - Media News Watch
Johnny Depp is getting behind the camera to direct Modi, a biopic about Italian artist and sculptor Amedeo Modigliani.
Before returning to the silver screen for Maiwenn’s Jeanne du Barry, Johnny Depp is ready to announce his first directorial effort in 25 years for Modi, a biopic focusing on the Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani. Inspired by a play by Dennis McIntyre and adapted for Hollywood by Jerzy and Mary Kromolowski, Modi tells the story of the famous painter and sculptor during his time in Paris in 1916.
Riccardo Scamarcio (John Wick: Chapter 2), Pierre Niney (Yves Saint Laurent), and Al Pacino (The Devil’s Advocate, The Godfather) lead the cast, with filming going down in Budapest this fall. The Veterans will bring the project to Cannes for a potential sale.
According to Deadline, Modi chronicles a harrowing 48 hours of Amedeo Modigliani’s life, depicting when he ran from police through the streets and watering holes of war-torn Paris. Modigliani’s premature career is not a concern to Bohemians like Maurice Utrillo of France, Chaim Soutine (born in Belarus), and Beatrice Hastings, his English lover and muse. Modigliani asks his Polish friend and art dealer Leopold Zborowski for advice to sort out the confusion. However, Modigliani’s spiral into chaos takes a wicked turn when he meets a collector who could change his life.
Scamarcio plays Amedeo Modigliani, Niney plays Utrillo, and Pacino plays international art collector Gangnat.
“This is a snapshot of Modigliani’s life that gives us insight into his struggle as an artist suffering from lack of recognition, and a project Al and I have pursued for many years,” said Barry Navidi. “Our incredible cast combined with the vision, wit, and sensitivity that I know Johnny will bring to the camera, will make it a dream come through.”
Depp is the director, with Nicola Pecorini serving as the film’s Director of Photography. Penny Rose is in charge of the costumes. Andrew Sanders and John Beard are responsible for the production design. Sharon Howard-Field is managing the cast.
Modi is Depp’s first time in the director’s chair since 1997’s The Brave, starring Depp, Marlon Brando, and Marshall Bell. The drama is about a Native American who has just been released from prison and has been offered a part as the victim of a snuff movie. Are you excited for his starring role as Maiwenn’s Jeanne du Barry
premiering this week at Cannes? Please let us know what you think in the comments.
Entertainment - Media News Watch originally published at Entertainment - Media News Watch
