TOKYO – Johnny Depp has recovered from a cold. And a chupacabra attack.

The 51-year-old actor was all smiles while joking Wednesday with journalists in Tokyo about why he was a no-show at a news conference a day earlier. Depp explained he had been ill but said that wasn’t the reason.

“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.

The chupacabra is a legendary creature rumoured to inhabit parts of the Americas.

Depp’s tale drew laughs from the crowd of reporters.

When asked what the title character in his latest film would do if he was in the room, Depp channeled the character and 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.’”

More than 200 journalists were kept waiting for an hour before organizers cancelled Tuesday’s event because Depp was unwell.

“Mortdecai,” an eccentric heist comedy, tanked at the box office, making an estimated $4.1 million in North America and $5.2 million elsewhere last weekend.

Depp has a huge fan base in Japan and said he hopes the film will be received well in the country.

“Mortdecai” will be released in Japan on Feb. 6.