Johnny Depp to Produce English Adaptation of ‘The Master and Margarita’

Johnny Depp is set to produce the first English-language feature adaptation of Mikhail Bulgakov’s literary classic, The Master and Margarita. This announcement was made at the Red Sea International Film Festival held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on October 25, 2023. Depp’s production company, IN.2 Film, is collaborating with producers Svetlana Dali and Grace Loh, alongside other key figures from the industry.

The film will be a partnership with Tribune Pictures, with executive producers including Nevin Shalit, Andrew Fourman, Konstantin Elkin from World Visions, Michael Paletta of Tribune Pictures, and the late Michael Lang. As of now, no director has been announced, and casting details remain undisclosed. Production is anticipated to begin in late 2026.

Written between 1928 and 1940, Bulgakov’s satirical novel weaves a complex narrative set in two distinct time periods—1930s Moscow and Jerusalem during the era of Pontius Pilate. The plot centers around the devil’s return to Moscow, accompanied by a talking cat named Behemoth and other intriguing characters, creating chaos among the city’s corrupt citizens. Even though Depp’s project marks the first English-language adaptation, The Master and Margarita has seen various adaptations across film, television, and theater in multiple languages.

This project is part of Depp’s ongoing comeback in the film industry, which faced significant challenges following a highly publicized legal battle with ex-wife Amber Heard. Since 2019, the actor has appeared in only a handful of films, including Minamata (2020) and Jeanne du Barry (2023). He also directed and produced Modì, a biopic about Amedeo Modigliani, featuring actors Riccardo Scamarcio, Stephen Graham, and Al Pacino.

Depp’s recent projects have received backing from the Red Sea Film Foundation, which also sponsored a gala screening for Modì at the Red Sea Film Festival in 2024. His return to mainstream cinema includes the upcoming Lionsgate feature Day Drinker, co-starring Penélope Cruz, which began filming in Spain in April 2023. Additionally, in October, Depp agreed to portray Ebenezer Scrooge in a new adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, with Ti West attached as director.

As the details of The Master and Margarita evolve, Depp’s return to Hollywood continues to gain momentum, highlighting both his resilience and the enduring appeal of Bulgakov’s work.