Johnny Depp sparks concern in 'bizarre' footage amid Hollywood comeback

Johnny Depp has sparked concern online after footage has been shared showing the actor biting into a decorative plant at a Las Vegas event.

The bizarre moment took place at a party for Depp's rum brand, Three Hearts, at Park MGM at Drink Las Vegas.

Depp, 63, was posing for photographers when he wandered towards a wall covered in artificial greenery and appeared to bury his face in it.

He then emerged chewing on a decorative leaf, cheered on by paparazzi and people filming.

In the footage, the actor can be seen spitting the foliage out before returning to the display and taking another bite.

He then turned back to the cameras to pose with a smile, with the pieces of the faux greenery still sticking out of his mouth.

He was also seen chatting with guests and appearing to enjoy himself at the event.

Some viewers described the episode as ‘bizarre’, with many others expressing concern about the actor's behaviour.

One fan wrote: “Johnny doesn't even look like Johnny at allllllllllll anymore.”

“He needs someone who cares about him to help him. Sad,” added another.

Someone else joked: “Going to Vegas this week, hope Johnny is still there eating decorations when I arrive.”

“I mean he’s done weirder things for a role but this one was purely for himself and honestly that's kind of iconic” mused one fan, while another compared Depp to one of his favourite characters: “Edward Scissorhands in real life!”

Others argues that Depp was just having ‘a bit of fun’ with photographers.

It comes as the actor is moving back to major film projects after several years away from the Hollywood mainstream.

Depp is set to star as Ebenezer Scrooge in Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol, a new adaptation directed by Ti West.

He surprised fans by appearing in character as Scrooge at the San Diego Comic-Con in July

His return to cinema does not stop there.

Depp is also starring alongside Penélope Cruz in Day Drinker, which has recently released its first trailer.

The film, directed by Marc Webb, sees Depp play a mysterious passenger aboard a private yacht who becomes caught up in a dangerous criminal situation.

There has also been renewed speculation about a potential return to the role that made Depp one of Hollywood's biggest stars.

Reports in August said the actor was in talks to return as Captain Jack Sparrow for a sixth Pirates of the Caribbean film.

Producer Jerry Bruckheimer told Deadline at Disney’s D23 convention about the possibility: ““We’re talking with Johnny, we’re working on a screenplay, and hopefully we can get this done.”

He first played the character back in 2003, with reports claiming a sixth film would focus on Margot Robbie in the lead role with Depp’s Sparrow as a side character.

Depp's decision to nibble on a fake plant may have been nothing more than an eccentric moment in front of the cameras, but after a difficult few years it’s probably best for the star to avoid any controversy ahead of the release of the new projects.