A little over two years have passed since the infamous trial between Amber Heard and Johnny Depp. The controversial legal battle pitted the former couple against each other, putting what went down in their relationship under the microscope. The trial ended in Depp's favor and marked the beginning of a new life for the actress, who decided to find refuge in Spain with her daughter.

The actress first moved to Mallorca, where she lived a secluded life away from the paparazzi and public attention. Later, she moved to Madrid, where she also tried to stay under the radar by living a relatively low-key lifestyle while enjoying the local cuisine and Spanish culture.

Despite her quiet lifestyle, she recently encountered a few paparazzi who asked her what she thought about Johnny Depp's visit to Spain. The actor is expected to arrive in San Sebastian on September 24, where he will present his latest project at the film festival. Depp's late film, “Modi,” sheds light on the life of the painter Amedeo Modigliani. 

Amber said that it is a chapter of her past and that she is now facing a new stage in her life. "I'm living here in Madrid, I love Spain," she said. "I'm very lucky to be here, and regarding my past, I don't feel like thinking or talking about it, because I'm happy and in peace."

The Virginia defamation case between Amber Heard and Johnny Depp ended after her move. Six weeks after each side presented their arguments, the jury unanimously decided that Amber Heard should pay Johnny Depp $15 million. The jury also favored Heard’s countersuit, saying she should receive $2 million. Heard paid Depp $1 million and began focusing on other projects and her role as a mother.

According to the star, what she loves the most about Spain is the country's “moral values. “Also, the people, the vibes. People here are very respectful and happy. I appreciate that."

After the verdict, Amber is focused on her three-year-old daughter, Oonagh Paige. On several occasions, she has been captured taking the toddler to play in the parks around her home or attending swimming classes at a nearby center.

In early 2024, Amber Heard and her daughter welcomed David Heard, Amber's father, and Whitney, the actress's sister. Amber has been diligently learning Spanish and impressively mastering the language with a local accent. 

Amber Heard's recent projects include “In Fire,” in which she co-stars with Eduardo Noriega, and “Aquaman 2,” in which she reprises her role as Mera alongside Jason Momoa. In late 2023, shortly after the release of “Aquaman 2,” Heard shared images from the set.

Johnny Depp was “humbled” to be asked to direct the upcoming biopic Modì, according to the film’s producers.

Modì is a dramatisation of the life of Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani, and stars Riccardo Scamarcio and Stephen Graham. It is set to receive its world premiere on Tuesday (September 24) at the Sam Sebastian International Film Festival and will be released theatrically on December 5.

The film has been written by Jerzy and Mary Kromolowski and was brought to Depp by Al Pacino as far back as 1997, when the two actors were working together on Donnie Brasco. After 27 years, the film is finally complete, but according to producer Stephen Deuters, Depp has always expressed his gratitude for being invited onto the project, especially in the aftermath of his legal battles with Amber Heard.

“Johnny was quite surprised, humbled and a bit blown away that Al [Pacino] was asking him to direct this,” Deuters told Variety. “He wasn’t expecting anyone to ask him to direct a film at that particular moment. We had a lot going on at the time, this was even before COVID, and we just thought it would be a really positive thing for us to do, a slightly unexpected change of direction and something that he could really throw himself into.”

Fellow director Barry Navidi added: “I think John is a very sensitive artist. He’s a painter, a musician, an actor, and an active director, which I got to witness up and close. I was quite impressed and just loved the way he worked all the time on set. We were, of course, thinking of several other directors before Johnny, as the project has been around for so long, but Al recognized that he was the right director because he has the sensibility and sensitivity of an artist. In the end, Johnny totally owned it.“

Depp's decision to direct 'Modi' comes at a pivotal moment in his career. Following his highly publicized legal battle with Amber Heard, Depp has been focusing on rebuilding his career and exploring new artistic avenues. This project reflects his ongoing dedication to his craft, and the film is sure to attract a wide audience.

'Modi' tells the story of Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani, a figure who Depp deeply admires for his rebellious spirit.

"Modigliani was, of course, one of the great contemporary artists of all time," Depp told Variety. "But he also represented an era and point of view where new possibilities still existed. His vision fascinates me."

"He doggedly walked to the beat of his own drum, and possessed a natural allergy for convention during a time where the norm was being openly challenged across every medium."

Depp explained, "It would be foolish not to admit that everything Modigliani ever stood for, and continues to stand for, resonates deeply within me."

"I feel immensely fortunate to be given the opportunity to, along with a sublime cast and crew, capture his world in three days."

The film's cast features an impressive lineup of talent, including Riccardo Scamarcio, Stephen Graham, and Al Pacino, who produced the film.

Pacino first approached Depp about making a film about Modigliani during their collaboration on the 1997 gangster film Donnie Brasco. After years of development, the project has finally come to fruition.

Depp's passion for Modigliani's work is evident in his directorial vision. The film promises to be a visually stunning and emotionally resonant portrayal of the artist's life and legacy, and it will be interesting to see how Depp's recent legal troubles will shape the audience's perception of the film.

'Modi' is set to premiere at the San Sebastian Film Festival on September 24, 2024. The film's release in theaters is scheduled for December 5, 2024, and it will be available on streaming platforms shortly afterward.