Day Drinker Starring Johnny Depp Officially Receives Release Date, Replacing a Planned Film From Mel Gibson on the Schedule

Lionsgate has officially announced the release date for Day Drinker, the new thriller from director Marc Webb starring Johnny Depp.

The film is now scheduled to arrive in theaters on March 26, 2027 — a move that simultaneously reshapes the studio’s release calendar and pushes back another major production tied to Mel Gibson.

A Major Release-Date Shake-Up
The March 26, 2027 slot had previously belonged to The Passion of the Christ: Resurrection – Part One, the long-developing continuation of Gibson’s controversial and highly anticipated biblical epic.

Under Lionsgate’s revised schedule, that project has now been delayed until May 2027, allowing Day Drinker to take over one of the most valuable spring release windows.

The decision highlights the growing competition among studios for premium theatrical dates, particularly for films expected to generate strong audience interest and awards-season conversation.

A Supernatural Revenge Thriller
Day Drinker is being described as a supernatural thriller centered on revenge, mystery, and psychological manipulation.

The story follows a yacht bartender played by Madelyn Cline whose quiet life changes dramatically after meeting a mysterious passenger portrayed by Johnny Depp.

As the narrative unfolds, she becomes entangled in a dangerous criminal conspiracy involving a mysterious woman played by Penélope Cruz.

The deeper the characters become involved with one another, the clearer it becomes that their connection is far more personal — and far more dangerous — than it initially appeared.

Strong Studio Support Behind the Project
The screenplay was written by Zach Dean, known for his work on Fast X.

Dean also serves as a producer alongside a high-profile production team that includes:

• Basil Iwanyk

• Erica Lee

• Adam Kolbrenner

• Nathan Kahane

The combination of experienced blockbuster producers and an established director suggests Lionsgate sees Day Drinker as a commercially significant release rather than a smaller genre experiment.

Johnny Depp and Penélope Cruz Reunite Again
The film also marks the fourth collaboration between Johnny Depp and Penélope Cruz.

The two actors previously shared the screen in:

• Blow

• Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

• Murder on the Orient Express

Their on-screen chemistry has long been praised by audiences, and Day Drinker continues that creative partnership in a much darker and more psychological setting.

An Important Film for Depp’s Career
The project is also attracting attention because it represents another major Hollywood studio release for Johnny Depp following several years of highly publicized legal battles and career uncertainty.

With a wide theatrical launch, a recognizable director, and a high-profile cast, Day Drinker is already being viewed as one of the more closely watched thrillers of the 2027 release calendar.

Whether the film can fully capitalize on its star power and unusual supernatural premise remains to be seen, but Lionsgate’s scheduling decision clearly signals confidence in its commercial potential.