Internet wants Johnny Depp 'canceled' over unlikely friendship with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Johnny Depp, 60, has reportedly found a new friend in Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, also called “MBS.”

Per Vanity Fair, the unlikely “epic bromance” between the Hollywood star and the Saudi royal started in July 2022, when Depp was filming ‘Jeanne du Barry’. He recently even attended the Red Sea Film Festival in Saudi Arabia.

How did the friendship between Johnny Depp and MBS begin?

The outlet reported that while Depp was filming the French period piece, MBS’s cousin ​​Prince Badr bin Farhan Al Saud allegedly wanted to meet him. 

Depp reportedly exclaimed at the prospect and said, “No way,” and added, “I didn’t sign up for this.”

Per the outlet, Depp’s film was partly financed by Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Film Fund where Prince Badr has invested millions - which led the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ star to meet him.

Through Prince Badr, Depp met MBS as well which ultimately paved the way for their friendship.

In 2023, the ‘Edward Scissorhands’ star even spent seven weeks in Saudi Arabia and received hospitality from the royals. 

He even availed MBS’s private jet to fly to London in May 2023 to attend the Jeff Beck Memorial Concert at the Royal Albert Hall. 

A source close to Depp said to Vanity Fair, “They made a genuine connection,” before adding, “It’s a shock to many of the people who know [Depp], but it’s what happened.” 

Another source told the New York Post, “There is a friendship there based on an appreciation of film, culture and regional progress. They do not discuss or align on global politics.”

While the duo does not discuss politics, Vanity Fair wrote that MBS’s assurance of him not ordering journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s murder won Depp over.

MBS and Jamal Khashoggi

Per Middle East Eye, the Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi was murdered inside Saudi Arabia's Istanbul consulate on October 2, 2018. The incident caused huge outrage all over the world. 

While it was often rumored that MBS had ordered the killing, the Crown Prince has previously denied having any involvement in Khashoggi’s murder.

Similar to his public statement, MBS has allegedly denied having ordered the journalist’s death to Depp as well, per Vanity Fair. He, nevertheless, took responsibility for his demise.

Per the outlet, the Saudi crown prince reportedly told Depp that Khashoggi had "become a rogue operative working with the country's enemies to undermine the crown prince's reform agenda".

Middle East Eye further reported that MBS allegedly told Depp he had ordered his underlings to arrest Khashoggi on criminal charges. However, "the directive had been misunderstood by overeager underlings who believed the prince would be happy if Khashoggi were silenced permanently".

Johnny Depp talks about 'cultural revolution' in Saudi Arabia

In a statement to Vanity Fair, Depp reportedly praised the Middle eastern country and 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.”

He added, “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.”

Social media reacts on the unlikely friendship

Social media users ripped both Johnny Depp and Mohammed bin Salman following the rumor of their unlikely friendship. 

On a Reddit thread, one of the disgruntled fans said, "Who would have thought that Johnny depp consistently keeps some of the worst company imaginable, almost like he's also an abhorrent person huh 🤔."

Someone else commented, "It’s not like people didn’t try to tell everyone how much of a piece of s*it Johnny Depp is…"

Another exasperated fan commented, "As though I needed another reason to despise Johnny Depp. Complete and utter trash. Throw the whole man away!!" 

"Johnny Depp hanging around a violent man is just him being on brand," remarked another netizen.

"This is who he has been for awhile. Can we stop pretending he was the good guy now?" quizzed another angry fan.

"Good way to get cancelled again, Johnny," said someone else.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.