<a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/film/2022/06/29/johnny-depp-wont-return-to-pirates-of-the-caribbean-franchise-says-representative/" target="_blank">Johnny Depp</a> is set to direct his first feature film in 25 years with <i>Modi</i>, about the Italian painter and sculptor Amedeo Modigliani. Depp, 59, who in June concluded his multi-million-dollar defamation case against his former partner <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/2022/07/22/johnny-depp-vs-amber-heard-trial-actresss-new-bid-to-fight-defamation-verdict/" target="_blank">Amber Heard</a>, will co-produce alongside Hollywood great Al Pacino and Barry Navidi. Based on the play <i>Modigliani </i>by Dennis McIntyre and adapted for screen by Jerzy and Mary Kromolowski, <i>Modi</i> will tell the story of the artist’s time in Paris in 1916. It will offer a snapshot of a “turbulent and eventful” 48 hours during which, having long considered himself a critical and commercial failure, he solidifies himself as a creative force. The project aims to start production in spring 2023 in Europe. “The saga of Mr Modigliani’s life is one that I’m incredibly honoured, and truly humbled, to bring to the screen," Depp said. “It was a life of great hardship, but eventual triumph — a universally human story all viewers can identify with.” <i>Modi </i>will be his second feature directorial credit after 1997’s<i> The Brave</i>, in which he starred alongside Marlon Brando. It comes a week after Depp confirmed his first starring role since claiming victory in his <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/2022/06/03/what-next-for-johnny-depp-and-amber-heard-after-defamation-trial/" target="_blank">now-infamous legal battle</a> with Heard in Fairfax County, Virginia. He will appear in the film <i>Jeanne Du Barry</i>, produced by French company Why Not Productions. Mr Depp <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/us-news/2022/06/01/jury-reaches-verdict-in-amber-heard-defamation-trial/" target="_blank">sued his former partner</a> over a 2018 article she wrote for <i>The Washington Post</i> about her experiences as a survivor of domestic abuse, which his lawyers said falsely accused him of being an abuser. Pacino, whose numerous credits include <i>The Godfather</i>, <i>Scarface </i>and <i>Donnie Brasco,</i> has previously worked with veteran producer Navidi on various projects, including<i> The Merchant Of Venice</i> (2004), <i>Wilde Salome</i> (2011), and <i>Salome </i>(2013). Modigliani, who worked mainly in France, is known for his portraits and nudes featuring elongated faces and bodies. Although not well received during his lifetime, his works have since become highly sought after. He died of tubercular meningitis in 1920 aged 35 in Paris.