The Australian politician who threatened to kill Johnny Depp's dogs said Tuesday the actor's grim display of contrition wouldn't win an Academy Award and needed more "gusto."
Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, who is known for his colorful personality, said Depp looked like he was "auditioning for 'The Godfather.'"
Depp and wife Amber Heard's apology for smuggling their pet Yorkshire terriers into Australia quickly went viral Monday, with many joking it looked like a hostage video. Some even went so far as to suggest Joyce was standing behind the camera, holding the Yorkies at gunpoint.
But Joyce said he didn't help direct "that atrocious movie."
"No, even I could have done it a little bit better than that," Joyce told NBC News' Australian partner Channel 7.
Joyce said he would have implored Depp to dig deeper had he been behind the camera. "Do it again Johnny — do it with gusto!"
He added: "Rise to the camera, old trout!"
Joyce admitted Monday that the couple were reluctant participants in the video, but said they were spreading an important message about Australia's biosecurity laws.
"At the end of it we've got a message that is going all around the world right now," he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. "It's going off like a frog in a sock telling people that if you come into this nation and you don't obey our laws, you're in trouble."
Related: Depp, Heard End 'War on Terrier' With Bizarre Apology
Heard was given a one-month good behavior bond after illegally sneaking Pistol and Boo into Australia in May last year. Her lawyer put the incident down to jet lag and a miscommunication with Heard's assistants.
"I am truly sorry that Pistol and Boo were not declared," Heard said in the video. "Protecting Australia is important."
