Inside Johnny Depp's controversial return to the spotlight at Cannes Film Festival

Walking into the Cannes Film Festival, many fans have perceived Johnny Depp's attendance as his official return to the spotlight following the Heard trial controversy.

After being welcomed to the famous event with a standing ovation for his latest film, the Pirates of the Caribbean offered commentary on the media storm engulfing him during and after the defamation lawsuit.

From a standing ovation to some heated words about the "fiction" written about him in the media, Depp's return to public life has been quite the spectacle.

Below are all the details you need to know about Depp's time at the 76th annual Cannes Film Festival.

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Seven-minute standing ovation

For some, the controversial A-lister was an unwelcome presence this year's Cannes Film Festival, however others have embraced him with open arms.

Maiwenn, director of Depp's film Jeanne du Barry, walked the red carpet arm-in-arm with Depp and the pair held hands as they entered the theatre to audience applause.

Crowds of fans and onlookers shouted "Johnny!", "Johnny!", "Johnny!" as the star, rocking a suit and purple-hued sunglasses, signed autographs from the red carpet.

For many, this marked his official step back into the spotlight one year after a seven-person jury ruled overwhelmingly in his favour in an explosive six-week defamation trial against his ex-wife, Amber Heard.

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The star however, admitted he was confused about fans appraisal of his "return" since he never left.

"I keep wondering about the word 'comeback,' because I didn't go anywhere," he said in conversation with journalists after arriving 45 minutes late to the press conference.

"Maybe people stopped calling out of whatever their fear was at the time, but I didn't go anywhere."

He added: "Saying 'comeback' is almost like I'm going to come out and do a tap dance – dance my best and hope you approve."

Slammed the media

The Jeanne Du Barry the star slammed the media during the interview, claiming that what has been written about him is "fiction".

"The majority of you who have been reading for the last five or six years, with regards to me and my life – the majority of what you've read is fantastically, horrifically written fiction," he said.

Despite an online campaign created by Heard supporters called "#CannesYouNot", there were reportedly no protesters at the festival, which could be expected with the event protected by a high level of security.

Depp said he was done with Hollywood

"Did I feel boycotted by Hollywood?" he said in conversation with journalists after arriving 45 minutes late to the press conference. "Well, you'd have to not have a pulse to feel at that point like this was all just a weird joke."

He also hinted at losing work but didn't complete his sentence: "When you're asked to resign from a film you're doing because of something that's merely a bunch of vowels and consonants floating in the air..."

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In 2020 Depp was reportedly fired from his role in the Fantastic Beasts franchise amid his legal battle with Amber Heard.

"Do I feel boycotted now?" Depp said. "No, not at all. But I don't feel boycotted, because I don't think about Hollywood."

He added: "I don't feel much further need for Hollywood."