Has the MGM decided to get rid of the last film shot by Johnny Depp?

In any case, says Andrew Levitas, the director of

Minamata

.

The actor plays Eugene Smith, the photojournalist who revealed, in the 1970s, the consequences of industrial pollution from the chemical company Chisso, leading to mercury poisoning of fishing families in the Japanese city.

The feature film, purchased shortly after its Berlinale stint last year, should have hit theaters in February 2021.

But while Johnny Depp was in the midst of a legal dispute with his ex-wife Amber Heard, studio officials decided to get rid of him by not ensuring his promotion, according to the filmmaker.

A disappointment for the thousands of victims still alive.

“Imagine their dismay when they learned last week that despite an already successful global launch, MGM has decided to 'bury the film' (in the words of head of acquisitions, Mr. Sam Wollman) because MGM feared that the personal issues of an actor in the film would negatively impact them and that, from MGM's perspective, the victims and their families were secondary in this matter.

Andrew Levitas wrote in an open letter relayed by Deadline.

Fight of all mankind

Johnny Dep did not comment on the case, but MGM, contacted by the publication, assured that

Minamata

was still included in its release schedule.

Without specifying, of course, if everything would be done to promote the film.

“It is the fight of all humanity.

And everyone involved in this story and in this fight more broadly implores MGM to be the solution, to mark a turning point in so many lives and to reconsider its decision to actively obstruct the distribution and promotion of Minamata ”, added Andrew Levitas, sharing photos of the terrible damage "Minamata disease" has wreaked on the victims.

Movie theater

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  • Japan

  • Movie theater

  • Pollution

  • Amber Heard

  • Johnny depp