Johnny Depp to Produce English-Language Adaptation of Master and Margarita
The Bulgakov classic becomes the first English-language screen adaptation, with Johnny Depp as producer; the cast is not yet announced and filming is planned for late 2026.
The Bulgakov classic The Master and Margarita is moving to the English-speaking screen for the first time, with Johnny Depp leading as a producer. While the cast is not set, his involvement could extend beyond the producer role if talks progress.
Depp will produce via IN.2 Film, joined by Svetlana Migunova-Dali and Grace Lo, who have worked with him on previous projects. No director has been named yet, and production is targeted to begin in late 2026.
Story and tone
The adaptation will follow the novel's two intertwined threads: Moscow in the 1930s where the devil Woland and his entourage arrive, including the talking cat Behemoth, transforming the lives of the Master and his beloved Margarita; and a parallel thread in ancient Jerusalem during Pontius Pilate. The filmmakers describe the film as dark, satirical, and philosophically rich.
Rights history and producers
Rights to The Master and Margarita have a long and complex history. Migunova-Dali and Lo were involved in a prior legal dispute with Luminosity Pictures over rights to a recent Russian adaptation released in Europe, underscoring ongoing sensitivity around the novel's rights.
Other Depp projects and news
In October, reports indicated Depp would appear in a Dickens adaptation directed by a filmmaker credited as "Pearl." Separately, Depp has suggested he would consider returning as Captain Jack Sparrow under specific conditions.
Expert comment: Industry analyst Maya Chen notes that a high-profile producer-led adaptation of a challenging literary work can attract global attention, especially with a big name attached. The project timeline will test the market’s appetite for Bulgakov in English-language cinema.
Summary
Johnny Depp's involvement marks a bold move to bring Bulgakov to English-speaking audiences through a major-studio–style production. The film aims to preserve the novel's dark humor, existential questions, and its dual-story structure, with filming planned for late 2026 and a director yet to be named.
Key insight: A producer-led English-language adaptation of a classic Russian satire can broaden its reach, but success will depend on thoughtful adaptation that respects language, tone, and cultural context.