Johnny Depp is keeping busy and maintaining a healthier headspace after moving on from a dark period of his life.
The actor, who turns 61 in June, is rolling out his French film Jeanne du Barry to U.S. audiences on May 3 after the period drama opened the 2023 Cannes Film Festival.
A source tells PEOPLE that Depp is "very excited" for more fans to see the movie, which costars Maïwenn, who also directed. "He did the entire film in French. It was a good challenge," says the source.
Additionally, Depp is working on post-production for Modi, a film starring Al Pacino that serves as Depp's first time back in the directing chair in over 25 years. (He directed the 1997 film The Brave, which he also starred in with Marlon Brando.)
That passion project is one of the aspects of Depp's life now that keeps him "in really good spirits," alongside his music, painting and other creative endeavors — plus his own upcoming brand of rum.
"He is prioritizing his health and wellbeing much more these days," says the source. "People were loving his look for the Jeanne du Barry U.K. premiere. He got a new haircut, he looked polished and clean-cut. He’s lost weight. He’s feeling and looking healthier."
Johnny Depp on April 15, 2024.Dave Benett/WireImage
"He’s taking advantage of being in this better headspace," the source adds. "There’s a lot of good energy, and he surrounds himself with a good group of people."
It's nearly two years since Depp was embroiled in a heated defamation legal battle with his ex-wife Amber Heard in Virginia. The jury there sided mostly in his favor, and he and Heard ultimately reached a settlement that saw her pay him $1 million.
Depp distributed that money to five different charities, and, according to the source, there are no more loose ends in litigation — everything is complete and finalized. (Heard, 38, now lives in Madrid, Spain, with her 3-year-old daughter.)
Johnny Depp on Dec. 1, 2023.Daniele Venturelli/Getty
In London, Depp has found a cozy living situation. Says the source, "He really feels London is a home. It is more of a quiet life, but filled with painting and music. He’s jamming out with friends and playing solo in times when he’s not focused on filmmaking."
Plus, "He’s focused on moving forward," adds the source: "He’s keeping busy. There’s a lot of good distractions, so there’s not that much time to be reminiscing on that darker period."
"There’s been a release of the old and embarking on this new chapter. He’s feeling better about where he is in life," explains the source. "There’s no animosity toward anybody."
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Le Pacte / courtesy Everett Collection
The Pirates of the Caribbean actor isn't exploring any romantic avenues at the moment — he is "really too busy" so there's "not time right now for that," per the source — as he delves into his creative endeavors. And he's keeping his options open for future projects.
"He’s really open to anything. It’s kind of like a ‘never say never.’ There are no closed doors," says the source. "If there’s a role that comes along that he’s incredibly passionate about, of course he’s going to look into it."
