Johnny Depp, appearing at the 19th Rome Film Festival, opened up about his journey of personal growth after enduring years of legal turmoil with his ex-wife Amber Heard. Reflecting on his struggles, Depp told The Hollywood Reporter that these events were “transformative,” compelling him to release any lingering bitterness and instead embrace life’s lessons.

Despite a career marred by intense media scrutiny and lost roles, Depp is determined to reclaim his place in the film industry with his directorial project, *Modi: Three Days on the Wing of Madness*, which tells the story of Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani. 

Depp shared that his love for acting helped him cope during his darkest periods, allowing him to step into alternate worlds and find respite from the challenges in his own life. He considers *Modi* a deeply personal venture that symbolizes both his dedication to artistic expression and his resilience. Depp’s return to the limelight reflects his refusal to let past setbacks define his career, as he steadily rebuilds his reputation in Hollywood. This comeback will continue with his upcoming role in Terry Gilliam’s *The Carnival at the End of Days*, where he is slated to play a daring character, embodying a new era of freedom and growth as an actor. 

As Depp shared at the festival, he’s more focused on maintaining peace and positive energy, letting go of past pain rather than holding grudges. “Why carry that baggage?” he questioned, emphasizing his commitment to personal healing and a clean slate in Hollywood.