Introduction

Johnny Depp, the iconic Hollywood actor known for his transformative roles in films like Pirates of the Caribbean and Edward Scissorhands, has always been a private figure when it comes to his family life. With a career spanning over four decades, Depp has portrayed a wide array of characters, from the eccentric Captain Jack Sparrow to the dark and brooding Sweeney Todd. However, in a rare and candid revelation, the 62-year-old actor has opened up about a deeply personal concern: the one movie he hopes his children, Lily-Rose Depp and Jack Depp, will never watch. This disclosure sheds light on the complexities of balancing a high-profile career with parenthood and offers a glimpse into the values Depp holds dear.

Family Background

Depp shares his two children with his former partner, French singer and actress Vanessa Paradis, with whom he was in a relationship from 1998 to 2012. Lily-Rose, born on May 27, 1999, and Jack, born on April 9, 2002, were raised largely out of the Hollywood spotlight, spending much of their childhood in the south of France. Depp has often spoken fondly of his time as a father, describing the joy of watching his children grow up in a more private, serene environment. In a 2008 interview with Britain’s Psychologies magazine, he expressed, “I could sit there all day and do nothing but watch them grow. I’m totally inspired by them.” This sentiment underscores his desire to protect his children from the darker aspects of his career, a theme that has resurfaced with his recent comments.

The Movie in Question: Yoga Hosers

The movie in question is Yoga Hosers, a 2016 comedy-horror film directed by Kevin Smith, in which Depp starred alongside his daughter Lily-Rose and Smith’s daughter, Harley Quinn Smith. The film, a sequel to Smith’s earlier work Tusk, features the two young actresses as convenience store clerks who battle Nazi bratwurst clones. While the movie was intended as a lighthearted, campy project, it received overwhelmingly negative reviews and is widely regarded as one of Depp’s career missteps. With a 25% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a reputation for being a critical and commercial flop, Yoga Hosers lost an estimated $1.3 million at the box office. Critics panned its bizarre plot and uneven tone, with some suggesting it failed to capitalize on the talents of its cast, including Depp and his daughter.

In a recent interview with The Sunday Times, Depp hinted at his regret over the project, stating, “There are some things you do that you wish you could unmake, not for yourself, but for the ones you love.” While he did not explicitly name Yoga Hosers, the context of his comments—combined with his history of shielding his children from certain aspects of his public life—points strongly to this film as the one he hopes Lily-Rose and Jack will avoid. Depp’s discomfort likely stems from the film’s poor reception and its potential to embarrass his children, a concern he has voiced in the past. In a 2009 interview with the Daily Telegraph, he remarked, “I’m just an actor, and if I can leave something behind that my kids will be proud of, then that’s what I want. I don’t want my kids to be embarrassed by anything I’ve done.”

Motivation Behind the Decision

The decision to involve Lily-Rose in Yoga Hosers was initially seen as a father-daughter bonding opportunity, with Depp eager to share his creative world with her. Lily-Rose, who was 16 at the time, made her acting debut in 2014’s Tusk and was beginning to carve out her own path in the industry. However, the film’s failure appears to have left a lasting impact on Depp, who has since prioritized projects that align more closely with his artistic vision and family values. This regret is compounded by the fact that Yoga Hosers stands in stark contrast to the family-friendly films Depp has often championed, such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005), which he took on partly to delight his children.

Depp’s relationship with his children has been a focal point during some of the most challenging periods of his life, particularly his highly publicized defamation trial against ex-wife Amber Heard in 2022. During the trial, Depp testified that his primary motivation for pursuing the case was to clear his name for the sake of Lily-Rose and Jack, who were 23 and 20 at the time. He told the jury, “Since I knew there was no truth to [Heard’s allegations] whatsoever, I felt it my responsibility to stand up not only for myself in that instance but stand up for my children.” This protective instinct extends to his film choices, as he seeks to curate a legacy that his children can embrace without reservation.

Children’s Perspectives

Lily-Rose, now 26 and an established actress and model, has occasionally reflected on her father’s influence and the complexities of growing up in a famous family. In a 2021 interview with ELLE, she emphasized her desire to maintain privacy, stating, “I feel really entitled to my secret garden of thoughts. I also think that I’m not here to answer for anybody.” While she has not directly addressed Yoga Hosers, her comments suggest a nuanced perspective on her father’s career, acknowledging both its highs and lows. Jack, meanwhile, has chosen a more private life, working as a bartender in Paris and rarely appearing in the public eye, a decision that aligns with his mother Vanessa Paradis’ earlier statements about giving her children the option to avoid fame.

The Yoga Hosers debacle is not the first time Depp’s career choices have sparked controversy or regret. His collaborations with director Tim Burton, while often critically acclaimed, have occasionally veered into territory that some fans found unsettling. For instance, Lily-Rose revealed in a 2025 interview with Harper’s Bazaar that watching Edward Scissorhands as a child left her “traumatised,” not because of the character’s appearance but because of the way others treated him. This sensitivity to narrative content may have influenced Depp’s retrospective view of Yoga Hosers, where the film’s absurdity and violence could be seen as inappropriate for a young audience, including his own children.

Current Projects and Legacy

Depp’s current projects reflect a shift toward reclaiming his narrative and artistic integrity. After a tumultuous period marked by legal battles and a temporary retreat from Hollywood, he is set to reunite with Penélope Cruz in the upcoming thriller Day Drinker, directed by Marc Webb. In a 2025 interview with Joblo, Depp dismissed the idea of a “comeback,” asserting, “I didn’t go anywhere. If I actually had the chance to split, I would never come back.” This statement underscores his desire to move forward on his own terms, potentially leaving behind films like Yoga Hosers that do not align with the legacy he wishes to leave for his children.

The actor’s emphasis on family is further highlighted by his reflections on raising Lily-Rose and Jack in France. In the same Sunday Times interview, he noted, “Truly, the first time I felt I had a home was the place in the south of France where Vanessa and I raised the kiddies. That’s the only place that ever felt like home.” This idyllic upbringing contrasts sharply with the chaotic reception of Yoga Hosers, reinforcing Depp’s wish to shield his children from its fallout. His decision to avoid mainstream Hollywood pressures, as he told The Sunday Times, “They’ll want you to be a poster boy and it’s tempting—a lot of money. And if that’s the direction you want? Go for it. But don’t let anybody choose for you,” reflects a philosophy of prioritizing personal fulfillment over commercial success—a stance that may have been tested by the Yoga Hosers experience.

Conclusion

In the end, Johnny Depp’s disclosure about Yoga Hosers serves as a poignant reminder of the intersection between art and personal life. As he navigates the next chapter of his career, his choices will likely continue to reflect his commitment to his children, ensuring that the legacy they inherit is one of which they can be proud. For now, Yoga Hosers remains a footnote in his illustrious career—a film he hopes will stay out of sight, and out of mind, for Lily-Rose and Jack.