Johnny Depp: A chupacabra 'attacked' me

Ann Oldenburg | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Depp blames Chupacabra for missing presser Johnny Depp apologizes to the Japanese media and blames fighting a Chupacabra for missing the previous day's press conference in Tokyo for his latest comedy, 'Mortdecai.' (Jan. 28)

We've heard the "exhaustion" excuse from stars who miss events.

But "attacked" by a "chupacabra"?

You have to hand it to Johnny Depp for that one.

That's what he said was his reason for missing a news conference for his new movie, Mortdecai, in Tokyo on Tuesday.

The 51-year-old actor laughed and joked with journalists at a press conference Wednesday as he explained why he was a no-show the day before, reports AP.

Depp said he had been battling a cold, but said that wasn't the real reason for his absence.

"I was attacked yesterday morning by a very rarely seen or experienced animal called 'chupacabra.' I fought with it for hours. They're very persistent, very mean. And I'm pretty sure it came into my suitcase. I threw him off the 23rd floor. So we'll never see him again. Thank you for understanding," he said.

A chupacabra is a legendary, mythical creature that likes to drink the blood of livestock and is said to inhabit parts of the Americas.

When asked what his character in his film would do if he was in the room, Depp replied, "He would probably say something like 'How do you do?'. My name is Charlie Mortdecai and I've come here to take as much money from you as I possibly can. and jewelry, and art, and stuff.'"

Mortdecai, Depp's latest box office bomb, is set for release in Japan on Feb. 6.