Actor Johnny Depp 'returns' to Karlovy Vary in new festival promo spot

Johnny Depp took center stage at the 57th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival once more with the debut of the latest spot for the festival. The short promotional clips are the brainchild of directors Martin Krejčí and Ivan Zachariaš, who collaborate with top talent to deliver tongue-in-cheek plugs for the festival.

Depp's performance marks the eighteenth time a prominent figure from the world of cinema has appeared in a festival spot.

Depp, a three-time Oscar nominee, and Golden Globe winner made a memorable appearance at the 55th Karlovy Vary Festival two years ago, drawing massive attention from both spectators and fans as well as detractors (the festival coincided with massive media attention during his ongoing high-profile legal battle with ex Amber Heard).

Kryštof Mucha, the festival's executive director, expressed gratitude for Depp's continued support, saying: "Johnny Depp experienced a hugely warm reception from the audience and fans in Vary two years ago, and because of that, he became a big supporter of ours. That's why he agreed to shoot the trailer, even though we were limited by his busy schedule. The spot was very successful, and I believe that Johnny Depp will return to Vary in person one day.

The video, set in Budapest's art nouveau Gellért Hotel, was filmed while Depp was working in Europe, allowing for a convenient stop in Hungary. Ivan Zachariaš, said of his experience working with Depp, "[He] arrived late as usual, instead of two past five in the afternoon, and he told me right at the beginning that he would rather improvise. At first, I was a bit annoyed by it, but then it turned out to be a great solution. Johnny added even more of his personality to the jingle. It was a lot of fun with him."

The spot makes light of the fact that Depp didn't receive an award at the festival.

Over the years, renowned actors like Danny DeVito and Harvey Keitel, as well as esteemed directors such as Miloš Forman and Věra Chytilová, have lent their talents to the festival opening clip.

Other notable names to make appearances include Andy Garcia, Jude Law, John Malkovich, Casey Affleck, Zdeněk Svěrák, Josef Somer, Helen Mirren, Jiřina Bohdalová, Jiří Menzel, Otakar Vávra, and Miroslav Ondříček.

Thousands of film fans flock to one of the biggest events in the region every year. Although the Friday afternoon red carpet walk was dampened by rain showers, guests headed to the Thermal Hotel's Great Hall, where Jiří Bartoška presented awards to Russell Crowe and Alicia Vikander. Crowe's band performed on Friday evening.

On Sunday, the weekend's roster of stars will be completed by Ewan McGregor, who will also receive the Festival's President's Award and present the film Second Chance, a road movie about a father-daughter relationship, played by the actor's real daughter Clara McGregor. French actor and director Vincent Perez will arrive on Monday, and Robin Wright will grace the final weekend of the festival.