Johnny Depp has been making a slow and steady comeback following his victorious lawsuit against his ex-wife Amber Heard. Although fans were supportive of the former throughout the trial, some of them are turning on him after he recently took a $10 million loan to renovate his West Hollywood castle.

Years ago, news broke that the often “unprepared” talk show guest had money issues; even when he was still married to the Aquaman actress. He was spending $30,000 a month on “excessive” wine consumption alone.

By 2017, reports revealed that the vintage car collector had a $2 million-a-month lifestyle. Since he’s been out of Hollywood gigs for a while, it’s understandable that he’d take such a huge loan to spruce up his “abandoned” home.

What fans don’t get is how he seems to be struggling when he’s worth $150 million. Well, let’s just say it’s very Nicolas Cage — who, in the ’80s, told Depp to “try being an actor.” Here’s a closer look at Depp’s financial crisis, as well as if he’s returning to Pirates of the Caribbean, which “overpaid” him $650 million.

Is Johnny Depp Really Broke?

In August 2017, Vanity Fair explained the truth about Depp’s money problems. At that time, he had just found out that he was broke, prompting him to sue business managers Robert and Joel Mandel, and their firm, the Management Group (TMG) for mishandling his finances.

“I’m not a lawyer. I’m not an accountant,” he told his lawyer, Adam Waldman. “I’m not qualified to help my 15-year-old son with his math homework. . . . I’ve always trusted the people around me.”

The Mandels and TMG denied the accusations, saying that their former client refused to control his “selfish, reckless, and irresponsible lifestyle.” In court, where they demanded $560,000 in damages, they stated that Depp — who was then asking for $25 million — “caused his own financial waste.”

The article went on to expose Depp’s ridiculous purchases, including a $5 million memorial service for writer Hunter Thompson where the former blasted the latter’s ashes from a 153-foot cannon. Luckily, unlike Cage, the actor-turned-painter didn’t have to file for bankruptcy.

It’s unclear how he survived the situation, but it’s most likely through bank loans and selling some of his prized possessions, including a $25 million yacht bought by J.K. Rowling in 2015. The sale was brought up in Heard’s testimony during one of their court hearings.

What’s Really Going On With Johnny Depp’s $10M Home Renovation Loan?

Recently, the Daily Mail ironically stated that the “cash-strapped Depp has quietly taken out a $10 million mortgage on his overgrown Los Angeles castle as he struggles to revive his acting career.” The loan was granted by the City National Bank, also known as the “bank to the stars.”

The Charlie and the Chocolate Factory alum spent $650 million in legal fees during his trial with Heard. His $3 million salary from his latest film, Jeanne du Barry, also won’t go a long way in his ongoing financial battle.

Depp bought his West Hollywood castle for $2.15 million in March 1995. He was able to save the property after his smaller home on N. Sweetzer Avenue was foreclosed back in 2016 in the amount of $4.2 million.

These days, his main residence is a $3.6 million Bahamian island called Little Halls Pond Cay, purchased back in 2004 during his Pirates heyday. It’s a triggering fact for many fans who were outraged by the eight-figure loan. One wrote on Reddit: “How is that bank even loaning him this much money? They don’t actually think he’s good for it, do they?”

Another commenter claimed that Depp “just never grew out of the contrarian, teenage edgelord phase. His bad habits are out of control, and no one seems to have taught him that even millions will dry up when you literally and figuratively blow them with no regards to the consequences.”

Is Johnny Depp Returning To Pirates Of The Caribbean?

Pirates producer Jerry Bruckheimer recently told The Hollywood Reporter that he’d “love” to have Depp back in the franchise. Unfortunately, it’s not up to him. Disney has the final word on the matter, but reports say they’re still “working on it” and are not “closing the doors” to the Edward Scissorhands star.

During the trial, Depp confessed that he felt “blinding hurt” when Disney fired him after Heard’s op-ed accusing him of domestic abuse. “It was like somebody had hit me in the back of the head with a 2×4,” he said at that time.

Speaking to the press at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, he also declared that he had “no further need for Hollywood.” Too bad, his bank can’t say the same.