The actor has signed up to work on a new movie adaptation of Neil Gaiman​ children's novel Fortunately, The Milk, which is being made by his production company Infinitum Nihil and Australian-based firm Animal Logic.

Reports suggest the film will be shot in Australia, where Johnny's wife Amber Heard is facing prosecution over allegations the couple imported their two dogs into the country without proper permits while he was filming the new Pirates of the Caribbean blockbuster.

However, Animal Logic producer Zareh Nalbandian, who is working on Fortunately, The Milk with Johnny, is adamant the dog drama will not have an impact on the new project.

"I haven't had that conversation with him (about the dog drama) and I think it's probably a bit of a sensitive issue right now," he tells the Sydney Morning Herald. "But people forget things over time. If Johnny's a voice on the movie, he doesn't even have to travel to Australia to provide that performance. If he's a lead actor, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

"But I know he'll get a lot of love from our company and I think NSW (New South Wales) will welcome him into the state as a great actor bringing a lot of kudos in a movie. We'll see what happens."

Amber faces two counts of illegal importation of an animal and one count of producing a false document, and she is due to appear at Southport Magistrates Court in Queensland on 16 November (15).

Her lawyer previously won a postponement in the case to continue negotiations with prosecutors. The actress faces a hefty fine and up to 10 years in prison if she is found guilty of the charges.