In the last five years, Johnny Depp's reputation has taken a turn for the worse. But a chance to clear his name may be on the horizon for the 58-year-old actor.
Since his split from ex-wife and actress Amber Heard, 35, in 2017, a slew of allegations appeared in popular media sources accusing Depp of domestic abuse. The claims were notably mentioned in a Washington Post op-ed authored by Heard, as well as in British tabloid The Sun, in which Depp was called a "wife-beater."
The American actor known for playing Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise filed a lawsuit in 2018 against the tabloid for libel. But in November 2020, a British court ruled the outlet's claims "substantially true." Repercussions followed for Depp.
The actor was reportedly dropped from Disney's Pirates franchise. He was also asked to resign from his role as Grindelwald in the Harry Potter spinoff Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them 3. In a November 2020 note to fans, Depp said the request to resign came from Warner Bros., the studio behind Fantastic Beasts. Depp said that he respected the decision and agreed to resign after playing Grindelwald in the first two movies. Mads Mikkelsen has since taken on the part.
However, Depp followed his announcement by saying he will not let his life and career be defined by the libel suit.
"The surreal judgement of the court in the U.K. will not change my fight to tell the truth and I confirm that I plan to appeal. My resolve remains strong and I intend to prove that the allegations against me are false," Depp concluded. This week, in an interview with the British newspaper The Times, he referred to "Hollywood’s boycott of me," then added, “But, you know, I’m moving towards where I need to go to make all that… To bring things to light.”
In the same interview, he called his fans his "employers," not Hollywood studios, adding, “They buy tickets, merchandise. They made all of those studios rich, but they forgot that a long time ago. I certainly haven’t... they stayed on the ride with me and it’s for them I will fight. Always, to the end. Whatever it may be.”
Depp's wishes for a second chance were granted in Virginia earlier this week when Chief Judge Penney Azcarate granted the actor permission to pursue his lawsuit against Heard. In the process, Azcarate denied Heard's plea to dismiss the case in Virginia after Depp lost in British court.
"The Court is not persuaded by Defendant’s [Heard] argument that Plaintiff [Depp] had a full and fair opportunity to litigate the UK Action,” Judge Azcarate wrote in an official statement released on Tuesday.
"Mr. Depp is most gratified by the Court’s decision,” his lawyer Ben Chew told the press.
Depp is seeking $50 million from Amber Heard in damages for defamation. With pandemic delays taken into account, the case is set to go to civil court in April 2022. ~Cassandra Coleman
Sooo sick and tired of these cowardly men who take out their grievances against their wives or girlfriends. Seems like the usual response from them is always the same " not me, never me and woe is me". Take it on the chin Depp and be a man for once. OWN IT. ( you know she wasn't the first you treated that way ) Bad enough they commit the deeds but to have to listen to them make ridiculous denials is getting real old real fast. And please don't say " how do you know he's guilty". Flat out because "I BELIEVE HER" that's why. That's the only reason I need.
None of his earlier girlfriends, even Vanessa Paradis who he was with for years and has two kids with, say that he was abusive in anyway. They describe him as gentle. Amber was abusive, it's very clear when you see a video in which Johnny is talking with an older lady and he keeps checking with Amber to see if it's okay, to make sure she's not getting angry and is going to make him pay for him having stopped to talk to someone. I believe him. She used him to get a name (she was not a household name before she met him and her career has skyrocketed since thanks to riding on his fame) and then treated him like a dog who needs to be whipped. She's a lesbian, had never shown interest in men, but saw her chance to get famous when he paid her attention. And she punished him for it as soon as they were married. I hope he wins and gets his status back in Hollywood.
Why the hell didn't he stand up for himself before the divorce was final and he paid out a settlement ? It is just coming up now, because he found a judge that would listen to him. That's the way it works in the US, hunt through judges until you find one that sees your point of view. Bizarre ! He's a drunk and can barely get a word out without screwing it up. His previous dates, especially the one with kids, aren't interested in taking the chance that they would lose their share of his loot. He is or was also suing a lawyer for stealing from him ? When you have a 2Million$/month lifestyle or more and don't have the income to replace that in the kitty ? Then it's the accountants' and the lawyer's fault... He got what he deserved and like every other man going through middle age got what he deserved.
You Go Johnny!!!! :-) More power to you Bro!
Ridiculous comment by Catherine as to why she knows he is guilty, because she believes the allegations and that’s all she needs. The world would be a mess if that’s how justice was handed out. Get all the facts. Not just your opinion before you lay judgement
The only thing worse than an abuser is a fake victim that LIES about it! They drag down all the people (mostly women identifying persons but I fully acknowledge male identifying persons can be survivors too) that were and are brave enough to come forward and be re-violated by the police/law/courts to tell their stories. I am a feminist and I support survivors and victims. I do not support Amber Heard - she is a liar and I hope Johnny proves that her abuse was what spiraled him back into substances and his reactions.
Totally agree with Brenda's comments.
The pendulum has swung so far the other way ..... now a woman can claim anything and everything against a man - and even without proof, the man is crucified. Strong women don't need to lie and slander. I believe Johnny D and I hope the truth comes out - and his is vindicated. And shame on Hollywood - bowing down to the hysteria. I'm disgusted.
So just because he is a man, he is guilty of what he is being accused? That is the logic used by Catherine L. above. What proof does she or Amber Heard have that he is guilty of what she claims. Absolutely nothing. To believe her without substanting that claim is absolutely ludicrous and totally without merit. The justice system requires way more than that to render its decisions. Thank God Catherine L. doesn't work for the justice system, or at least, I hope she doesn't.
Johnny you need to fight back. You need to fight your demons in rehab so you can come back stronger than ever for this battle & prove to the world that Amber was a gold digging, fame seeking user! You need to show Hollywood they made a mistake in not supporting one of their best assets/actors! I have 1 room in my house themed w/Pirates of the Caribbean & have stayed loyal these past 5 yrs knowing you had a side to this tale she was spinning that no one was hearing. Now is your chance to set the record straight Johnny! Be brave, get strong, we are there with you, you are never sailing alone.
Right now the the whole world is facing a global Pandemic of this lethal COVID-19 virus and it is far from over. So we have a lot more other important things to be concerned about than focusing on this foolish nonsense. Who the hell cares? Depp is a multi millionaire lavishing on his private island. So he is doing just fine. Next!
Addressing the comment by Catharine, you are crazy!...Amber Heard is a nut job. Have you listened to the tapes at all...they prove it. Why can't there be nice guys around that take that kind of crap, just like there are women that it happens to.....I do not believe Amber at all. she is a liar and needs meds or anger management courses to control her anger. Not all men are wife beaters and I believe Johnny over her. Why would you say he is cowardly? Just don't your comment....He loved her, she treated him like crap. She was jealous of him, his fame and everything that went along with it. She is a child. Not saying Johnny is my fav. star, but she is an idiot and very unbelievable as a battered wife.
Edit to above comment. Just don't understand your comment, not Just don't your comment.
I don't know the story between them, neither does anybody commenting here especially Catherine. So let it go to court and see what comes out maybe the truth. Besides it might make a good courtroom drama in time. I wonder what actor's will get to play them or will they play themselves because after all the court cases they might need the money.
I for one do not believe Amber Heard. I think she's made it up to try to get more out of him ($$$) I've hated that the studios have dropped him from shows that he was in the middle of working on. I've loved the Caribbean and the Beasts and will be boycotting now that I know Johnny has been dropped. Grow up Amber and quit being such a b---- and leave Johnny alone. Johnny, I hope you can find some studio that will work with you but I think that's going to have to wait until after your court case in 2022.. Good luck.
Multiple times we were warned about Amber Heard. Her family is afraid of her. She is not a victim. Johnny Depp is not a victim either, he has made sure to make sure he never was labelled one nor did he ever act like one. He never called on others to vouch for him, people came forward on their own. Facts do not lie. The trolls still following and employed by Amber need to realize they are on a Trump Train.
I always found Depp to be an idiot man-child who strives so hard to look cool. I disliked him even more after the divorce. What repulsed me was reading the text messages he sent his friends: they are filled with the most typical stereotypes of women and his main criteria for esteeming their worth is how well they perform oral sex. He's gross. And all these comments "go Johnny," reveal an allegiance to a man who never once has taken any responsibility for his decisions. Disgusting POS
Anyone who isn't on Johnny's side on this either isn't paying attention or is letting their poisonous agendas override logic and common sense. And never trust a male "feminist". They're the worst!
Amber is a c*nt