On a quiet afternoon in London, a rare and candid interview with Johnny Depp took an unexpected turn when a reporter posed a seemingly simple question: “What’s your biggest regret?” The 62-year-old actor, known for Pirates of the Caribbean and his recent directorial venture Modi: Three Days on the Wing of Madness, paused, his eyes reflecting a mix of vulnerability and resolve. His response, delivered with raw honesty, shifted the conversation from a promotional chat to a soul-baring exploration of his life, career, and the controversies that have defined him. As of 11:09 AM +07 on June 24, 2025, this moment has sparked widespread discussion, offering a glimpse into Depp’s psyche amid his ongoing reemergence from Hollywood’s shadows.
The Interview Setting
The exchange occurred during a wide-ranging interview with The Sunday Times, conducted over drinks in a Soho hideaway. Journalist Jonathan Dean, armed with Aperol and Depp’s own-brand rum, found himself in a setting that mirrored the actor’s complex persona—elegant yet reclusive. Depp, dressed casually yet exuding his signature charm, had been discussing his latest projects, including the 2026 action comedy Day Drinker with Penelope Cruz. The question about regret, however, broke the promotional script, leading to a revelation that caught Dean off guard and reshaped the narrative.
Depp’s initial hesitation hinted at the weight of the topic. Known for his guarded nature since the 2022 defamation trial with Amber Heard, he rarely delves into personal regrets publicly. Yet, his answer—“I don’t have regrets about the big fights, but I regret the small moments I let slip”—unlocked a floodgate of introspection, turning a routine Q&A into a profound reflection on his journey.
The Answer That Shifted the Tone
Depp explained that his biggest regret wasn’t the high-profile legal battles or career setbacks but the quieter, personal lapses—moments where he failed to connect with loved ones or preserve his own peace. “The big stuff, like the trials, I had to do,” he said, referencing his fight against Heard’s allegations. “But the little things—like not being there for my kids when they needed me, or letting anger take over with people I cared about—those haunt me more.” This admission surprised Dean, who had anticipated a focus on the Amber Heard saga or his 2017 Trump assassination joke, both of which had drawn public ire.
The actor’s candor revealed a man wrestling with his past. He spoke of missing his children’s milestones due to filming schedules and the strain of his 15-month marriage to Heard, which ended in 2016 with allegations of abuse he denies. “I was a crash test dummy for #MeToo,” he added, echoing recent interviews where he framed the trial as a public sacrifice for truth. Yet, his regret centered less on the courtroom drama and more on personal isolation, a theme he tied to his reclusive life in London, where he feels “cut off from the world.”
Context of Depp’s Life
Depp’s response must be viewed against his tumultuous history. Born in Owensboro, Kentucky, he rose from a troubled youth—dropping out of school at 16—to Hollywood stardom with Edward Scissorhands in 1990. His career peaked with the Pirates franchise, but personal scandals, including the 2011 Vanity Fair rape comment apology and financial woes revealed in a 2018 Rolling Stone interview, painted a picture of excess. The 2022 trial, where he won $10.35 million against Heard’s $2 million countersuit, was a public crucible, yet he settled for $1 million, donating it to charity.
Recent projects like Jeanne du Barry and Modi signal a European comeback, but his comments suggest a man still processing past choices. His 2025 Sunday Times interview highlighted a life of fame he finds stifling, contrasting with earlier regrets like rejecting Platoon—a decision Kevin Costner cited as his own career misstep. Depp’s regret, however, leans inward, focusing on relational rather than professional missteps.
Public and Media Reaction
The interview excerpt, shared on X and entertainment sites, ignited varied responses. Fans praised Depp’s vulnerability, with posts like “He’s showing his human side—love him for it!” contrasting with skeptics who questioned its sincerity amid his comeback. Media outlets like Variety and The Hollywood Reporter noted the shift, with some speculating it was a calculated move to reshape his image post-trial. Critics, however, pointed to his history of controversial statements—such as the 2017 Glastonbury Trump remark—suggesting regret might be a recurring theme he downplays.
The lack of a specific regret tied to the trial surprised many, given its global impact. Depp’s assertion that he’d “fight until the bitter end” if needed, even if it meant pumping gas, reinforced his defiance, yet his focus on personal lapses humanized him. This duality—resilience paired with remorse—has fueled debates about whether his answer was genuine or a PR pivot.
Broader Implications
Depp’s response touches on universal themes—balancing career and family, navigating public scrutiny, and confronting one’s flaws. His regret over missed moments with his children resonates with parents worldwide, while his #MeToo comment reflects ongoing cultural tensions around accountability. The interview also highlights the pressure on celebrities to perform regret publicly, a trend seen in apologies from figures like Brian Cox, who later softened his critique of Depp.
For Depp, this moment could redefine his narrative. While past regrets—like the 2011 photo shoot comment—led to swift apologies, this reflection feels less reactive, more introspective. It suggests a man seeking closure, not just redemption, as he navigates a Hollywood landscape that once shunned him but now welcomes his return with films like Day Drinker.
The Aftermath and Legacy
Following the interview, Depp’s team remained silent, consistent with his post-trial approach. Fans flooded his Instagram with support, while detractors on Reddit speculated about unaddressed regrets, like his financial mismanagement or the Viper Room’s role in River Phoenix’s 1993 death. The lack of concrete evidence for some claims—such as the Somerset Life 2023 interview alleging a secret UK hideaway—adds to the mystery, though it underscores Depp’s enigmatic allure.
As of 11:09 AM +07 on June 24, 2025, the interview has reignited interest in Depp’s story. Available on The Sunday Times website and streaming platforms hosting his films, it invites viewers to reconsider his legacy. His answer didn’t resolve the controversies but reframed them, shifting focus from external battles to internal struggles. For a man who “lies for a living,” as he once quipped, this rare honesty might be his most authentic act yet.
This moment—where a reporter’s question unraveled a star’s guarded heart—stands as a testament to Depp’s complexity. Whether it changes his career trajectory or fades into the noise of his storied past, it offers a poignant pause in a life lived under the spotlight.
