The director of Johnny Depp’s comeback film Jeanne du Barry, Maiwenn Le Besco, has been accused of assaulting a journalist in a restaurant – just weeks before the movie opens the Cannes Film Festival.
Jeanne Du Barry will see the 59-year-old actor return to the big screen for the first time in three years and following his victory over ex-wife Amber Heard in a defamation lawsuit – with French actress Maiwenn also starring as Jeanne alongside Depp.
But it has now emerged that 46-year-old Maiwenn is being sued by Edwy Plenel, the editor-in-chief of Medipart magazine, for an alleged attack in late February that allegedly took place at an eatery in Paris’ seventh arrondissement.
Maiwenn was charged with ‘aggression’ in a police complaint filed on March 7 that leaked Friday, reports Variety – with Plenel claiming that Maiwenn – sitting alone at a nearby table – came over to his table before grabbing him by the hair and spitting in his face without saying a word.
Maiwenn then stormed out of the restaurant, leaving Plenel “traumatized by the incident.”
Allegation: The director of Johnny Depp’s comeback film Jeanne du Barry, Maiwenn Le Besco, has been accused of assaulting a journalist in a restaurant – just weeks before the film opens the Cannes Film Festival (pictured with Depp in the film as Jeanne)
Alleged attack: Maiwenn, 46, is being sued by Edwy Plenel, the editor-in-chief of Medipart magazine for an alleged attack in late February that allegedly took place at an eatery in the seventh arrondissement of Paris (seen February 2022)
Le Figaro reports of the alleged incident: “The woman then hurriedly left the restaurant with no one able to intervene given the speed of the action,” with restaurant staff reportedly identifying her as the director.
Plenel’s lawyer, Pierre-Emmanuel Blard, reportedly told AFP, per deadline: ‘The act is unique, but no less violent, and in a sense traumatic, even if no physical damage has been done. There can be no impunity even for such acts.’
Plenel reportedly says he has “never personally had any problems” with Maiwenn, but that Mediapart has published articles about allegations of rape against Maiwenn’s ex-husband and father of one of her children, Luc Besson.
DailyMail.com has reached out to representatives for Maiwenn and Johnny Depp for comment.
Jeanne du Barry will open the Cannes Film Festival at the film’s world premiere on Tuesday, May 16 – and the film will be released in cinemas in France the same day.
Depp appeared earlier as King Louis XV in promo footage for his highly anticipated film released in January.
Louis XV ruled France from 1715 until his death in 1774. He was married to Queen of France, Marie Leczinska, but had several long-term affairs.
Jeanne was his last lover before he died.
Jeanne Du Barry will see the 59-year-old actor return to the big screen for the first time in three years and following his victory over ex-wife Amber Heard in a defamation lawsuit – with Maiwenn also starring alongside Depp as Jeanne (pictured)
The long-awaited historical piece was recorded in the summer.
This is not only his career comeback, but also Depp’s first film in French.
Director Le Besco had previous success directing critically acclaimed films such as ‘Polisse’ and ‘Mon Roi’.
The film will also star: Pierre Richard, Benjamin Lavernhe, Noémie Lvovsky, Melvil Poupaud, Pascal Greggory and India Hair.
While the budget for the film remains unclear, Depp is said to have a $20 million starting fee for each role. Depp’s involvement with Jeanne du Barry was first teased in July and is his first film in three years.
In 2016, 36-year-old Heard famously accused the actor, 59, of domestic violence, which led to Depp being blacklisted by much of Hollywood, resulting in the loss of movie roles.
A jury determined that Heard’s claims, which were published in a 2018 Washington Post op-ed against Depp, were defamatory and she was ordered to pay the actor $15 million in damages.
Depp was ordered by the same courtroom to pay Heard $2 million after Heard filed a counter-suit for libel.
Heard filed an appeal in early December, but the former couple recently came to an agreement that Heard would pay $1 million to settle the case instead of entering a third trial.
Lawyers for Depp, Benjamin Chew and Camille Vasquez, said the actor is glad the “painful chapter” is over and confirmed he would donate the money to charity.
In an Instagram statement, Heard confirmed the plea, but refused to accept guilt, stating that her life had been “destroyed” by the jury’s decision.
Depp previously appeared as King Louis XV in promo images for his highly anticipated film released in January
In 2020, a UK court ruled that 12 of the 14 incidents of violence claimed by Heard were “substantially true,” and Depp was subsequently forced to resign from the “Fantastic Beasts” franchise at the request of Warner Bros.
But following his 2022 defamation suit against Heard, the star has regained Hollywood’s attention.
Depp is reportedly in talks to star in another “Pirates of the Caribbean” movie, reprising his role as Captain Jack Sparrow following a $301 million bid from Disney.
According to reports, Depp allegedly joked that he would not return to the “Pirates” franchise even if he was offered $300 million, which led to Disney offering him $1 million more.
In December, producer Jerry Bruckheimer said he “would like” to see Johnny Depp return to franchise.
His latest film, ‘Minimata’, about war photographer W. Eugene Smith, was released in 2020.
Allegations: In 2016, Heard, 36, famously accused the actor, 59, of domestic violence, which led to Depp being blacklisted by much of Hollywood, resulting in the loss of movie roles
Settled: Heard filed an appeal in early December, but the former couple recently came to an agreement that Heard would pay $1 million to settle the case instead of entering a third trial; Depp appears in May
Heard and seen Depp in 2016
The film flopped, grossing a measly $1.7 million worldwide on a budget between $11 and 13 million. Depp was paid $3 million for his role after “funding became shaky,” according to his agent.
The announcement comes as Netflix’s subscriber base and value have plummeted this year.
Netflix recently agreed with French cinema guilds to invest around $40 million in French films in an effort to recoup interest in its productions.
Depp has a 23-year-old daughter with French singer Vanessa Paradis. Lily-Rose Depp, who is also an actor, was born in the posh Parisian suburb of Neuilly-sur-Seine.
Lily-Rose also graces the Netflix homepage. The young actress starred opposite Timothee Chalamet in the 2019 Netflix movie The King.