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‘I’m his Hannibal Lecter’: Barnaby Joyce fires back at Johnny Depp’s ‘inbred tomato’ comment

Barnaby Joyce has shot down Johnny Depp's quip that he looked like an "inbred tomato", with the agriculture minister instead suggesting he was like "Hannibal Lecter" because he was getting inside the actor's head.

Joyce was responding to comments made by The Pirates of the Caribbean star on late-night talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live that brought a return to hostilities in the "War on Terrier".

Depp said he learnt his lesson for crossing Australia's combustible deputy prime minister. Source: Jimmy Kimmel Live
Depp said he learnt his lesson for crossing Australia's combustible deputy prime minister. Source: Jimmy Kimmel Live

When asked to give his thoughts on Joyce after the year-long saga that played out in the press and the courts, Depp said: "He looks somehow inbred with a tomato.

"It's not a criticism," Depp added. "I was a little worried. He just might explode."


The actor was clearly still holding a grudge against the minister who threatened to kill his dogs Pistol and Boo after they were illegally smuggled into Australia in May last year.


Johnny Depp and wife Amanda Heard say sorry to Australia. Source: The Australian Government
Johnny Depp and wife Amanda Heard say sorry to Australia. Source: The Australian Government

But when asked about Depp's comments, Joyce brushed them away with a smile and a laugh.

"I think I'm turning into Johnny Depp's Hannibal Lecter, aren't I?" he told reporters Wednesday morning.

"I'm inside his head, I'm pulling little strings and pulling little levers. Long after I've forgotten about Mr Depp, he's remembering me."

Hello Johnny: Barnaby Joyce is 'turning into Johnny Depp's Hannibal Lecter'. Source: Getty
Hello Johnny: Barnaby Joyce is 'turning into Johnny Depp's Hannibal Lecter'. Source: Getty

When asked if he had a favoured vegetable he would like to be compared to, Joyce said: "Something sleek and sensitive, just like me."

The stoush all started a year ago when the agriculture minister threatened to kill Depp's dogs, leading to a war of words and an apology video from Depp and Amanda Heard.

"It's time that Pistol and Boo buggered off back to the United States," Joyce said in May last year, giving the dogs 50 hours to vacate the country or threatened they would be euthanized.

Joyce is inside Depp's head. Source: AAP
Joyce is inside Depp's head. Source: AAP
Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce. Source: Getty
Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce. Source: Getty


As part of the punishment, the Hollywood couple were made to say sorry to Australia in a poorly produced and widely panned video.

Many suggested the video looked as though the pair had been taken hostage, with the minister himself even taking a swipe to say he doubted Depp would "get an Academy Award for his performance" and calling him an "old trout".

Kimmel told the method actor he thought the video was a fine performance, with Depp saying it was one of those "things you have to prepare a long time for to tap into the emotion that you need".

Depp and one of the dogs that started an international incident. Source: Instagram
Depp and one of the dogs that started an international incident. Source: Instagram

Despite the praise, Depp said he has not watched the performance, as he "didn't want to kill myself".

"You know I haven't seen many of (my performances) but I wouldn't disagree. I played that sort of anti-government".

Depp said was not likely to watch the video in order to avoid suicidal thoughts. Source: The Australian Government
Depp said was not likely to watch the video in order to avoid suicidal thoughts. Source: The Australian Government

Depp also praised the government for their choice time and resources as it taught him a lesson.

"You know I think that the choice they made to utilise the taxpayers' dollars to globally chase down a couple of teacup Yorkies and give them 50 hours to live. I realised the badness of my ways," he said.