Johnny Depp may have become a pariah in most Hollywood circles, but he’s about to become one of the most important entertainers representing the emerging market of Saudi Arabia.
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His friendship with Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman has been one that’s raised lots of eyebrows, but it’s now seeming that it could evolve into a business partnership.
Imagine representing the whole region of Saudi Arabia and helping to promote their cultures, values, and entertainment? That’s exactly what Johnny Depp, 60, is being offered.
How Johnny Depp and Saudi Royals Got Acquainted Through His French-language Film “Jeanne Du Barry”
Depp might not have signed up to meet Saudi royalties when he penned his deal to star in “Jeanne Du Barry,” but the fact that they poured millions into the movie was enough to get them an audience with the American star.
Prince Badr, Saudi Arabia’s culture minister, and cousin of Mohammed bin Salman, or MBS, had used Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Fund to substantially fund the project. So yeah, of course, he could meet the movie’s leading star, Johnny Depp.
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Within months of Prince Badr and Depp’s meeting, Depp was introduced to the 38-year-old heir to Arabia’s monarchy.
Their friendship was one for the books: Depp spent seven weeks in Saudi Arabia, immersing himself in their culture, and also just enjoying life by staying in royal palaces and camps.
This culture immersion was not done with the least bit of discomfort to the star as he did it on yachts and helicopters, and even hopped on MBS’s personal 747 to attend his dear friend Jeff Beck’s Memorial Concert in London. So like I said, friendship for the books.
“They made a genuine connection,” a friend of Depp’s said of their mutual connection. “It’s a shock to many of the people who know [Depp], but it’s what happened.”
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Johnny Depp Eyed To Promote Saudi Arabia’s Culture and Entertainment On A Global Level
After his famous stay in the region, Depp said in a statement: “Though I admit I was somewhat naive at first to what was transpiring in the region, I’ve since experienced firsthand the cultural revolution that is happening there—from emerging young storytellers radiating fresh ideas and works of art to a blossoming film infrastructure and a newfound curiosity for innovation. I’ve had the opportunity to meet people from various parts of the region who have been most welcoming in sharing with me their culture, their traditions, and their stories.”
MBS has wiped away much of the draconian rules in the region, especially those that prohibited public entertainment.
He reportedly has a vision to make the region a global tourism center by turning it into an entertainment and cultural hot spot, and we hear Depp is at the center of these plans.
The rumored deal is said to be a seven-figure one that will have Depp shoot movies and attend events in the country, in hopes he can assist to put “Saudi Arabia on the cultural map.”
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