Hollywood icon Johnny Depp is venturing into the graphic novel world, teaming up with legendary filmmaker Ridley Scott and production studio Mechanical Cake to co-own and co-create Hyde, a bold reinterpretation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

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A Fresh Take on a Classic Tale

Rather than depicting the duality of Jekyll and Hyde, this two-volume series picks up after Mr. Hyde has fully conquered Dr. Jekyll. The villain lives beneath London’s streets, experimenting in the sewers and creating more “Hydes” via a serum that corrupts the mind and body.

Depp’s Creative Involvement

In a unique twist, the Hyde character will bear Johnny Depp’s likeness, and Depp has a hands-on role in shaping all aspects of the project—not just the visual design, but narrative direction too. He described the opportunity to join Scott’s vision as “insane and beautiful”—a trust he deeply appreciates and intends to honor creatively.

The Creative Team Behind Hyde

• Creators/Writers: Jesse Negron (Mechanical Cake CEO) and Joe Matsumoto

• Editor: Dave Elliott

• Artists: Gary Erskine and Chris Weston

• Oversight provided by senior leads from Scott Free, Infinitum Nihil, and Mechanical Cake.

Mechanical Cake’s Jesse Negron emphasized that Hyde is “a bit off the rails, in a good way,” calling it an opportunity to launch a studio-level property straight to audiences—with no filters involved. Ridley Scott, upon seeing the pitch, reportedly said it was “a no-brainer”.

Launch and Public Reveal

The first chapter of Hyde is set for release on Halloween 2025, with pre-orders already live on Mechanical Cake’s website. A collectible ashcan preview will be distributed at San Diego Comic-Con during the Hall H panel titled “Hyde: When the Worlds of Graphic Novels and Movies Collide”—where attendees can also pick up swag and preview material.

Strategic Rebuilding and Industry Context

This project comes amid Johnny Depp’s efforts to rebuild his public and professional profile following recent legal controversies. While he’s also involved in other projects like the U.S. film Day Drinker, Hyde represents an innovative new creative avenue that blends celebrity, legacy IP, and storytelling in a direct-to-fan format.

Why Hyde Could Be a Game-Changer

• Cross-medium innovation: A major actor and high-profile director pioneering a project strictly in graphic novel form, with full creative input and ownership.

• Narrative uniqueness: The story focuses on Hyde post-victory, exploring villainy unbound by conscience—an inversion of traditional Jekyll-centric tales.

• Collector appeal: Exclusive Comic-Con content, large-format preview issues, and a direct-to-reader model elevate its status as a collectible property.

What to Watch For

• Art and storytelling: With Erskine and Weston handling visuals and Elliott overseeing editorial quality, Hyde promises a rooted but bold aesthetic.

• Fan and critical response: Reddit chatter reflects skepticism from some corners about Depp’s involvement and the viability of celebrity-led comics.

• Adaptation prospects: The structure and visual identity could pave the way for a future cinematic or streaming adaptation—though nothing has been confirmed.

Hyde marks a fresh chapter in both Depp’s journey and in how graphic novels can be conceived: star-driven, creator-owned, and unfiltered. With its release slated for Halloween and its first public reveal at San Diego Comic-Con, the project boldly brings a gothic myth into a new era.