Saudi Arabia’s tourism has been making waves after they hired legendary footballer Lionel Messi and now, the country is looking forward to joining hands with Hollywood icon Johnny Depp as a tourism ambassador. Meanwhile, a Vanity Fair report suggests that a unique ‘bromance’ is blossoming between Depp and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman aka MBS. Sources close to Depp indicate the friendship has gained momentum, and the actor is exploring ways to contribute culturally to Saudi Arabia.
Although Depp values the friendship with MBS without expecting anything in return, still, discussions are still underway between the actor’s team and the Saudi government for an annual seven-figure deal. The proposal involves Depp attending events and filming in Saudi Arabia, a move aimed at putting the country on the entertainment map. Depp, who recently attended the Red Sea Film Festival, marked the first step towards their collaboration.
A source close to the Pirates of the Caribbean star revealed, “They made a genuine connection. It’s a shock to many of the people who know him, but it’s what happened. In that time, Depp and MBS have become real friends.”
While Johnny Depp had earlier said, “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.”
Reports indicate that Saudi Arabia, under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 plan, is investing hundreds of billions of dollars across diverse sectors, including mining, real estate, sports, and tourism, with a particular focus on entertainment. This ambitious initiative aims to create new revenue streams for the country. The Crown Prince, known for his interest in video gaming and electronic dance music, has even launched a $38 billion investment in esports and gaming. Additionally, Saudi Arabia hosts Soundstorm, the Middle East’s largest music festival, every December.
Interestingly, the Red Sea Film Foundation has supported Johnny Depp’s upcoming directorial project, Modi, a biopic that explores the life of Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani and also features Al Pacino. Earlier, the finance team of the Film Festival had offered post-production financing for Depp’s period drama Jeanne du Barry, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival.
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