Johnny Depp calls himself the 'crash test dummy' for #MeToo
Depp reflected on the defamation case that stemmed from Heard's 2016 domestic violence allegations and the highly publicized trials that followed. 'Everyone was saying, 'It'll go away!' But I can't trust that,' Depp said, referring to the global media fallout. 'If I don't try to represent the truth, it will be like I've actually committed the acts I am accused of.'
The actor filed a libel lawsuit in 2018 against The Sun after being called a 'wife beater,' which he lost in 2020. In 2019, he filed a separate defamation lawsuit against Heard over her 2018 Washington Post op-ed. A Virginia jury sided with Depp in 2022, awarding him damages, while Heard won one count in her countersuit.
Depp explained his decision to go to trial, saying he was prepared to 'fight until the bitter end,' even if it meant sacrificing his career. He also criticized former colleagues for abandoning him, adding, 'There are people… who did me dirty.'
Following the legal battles, Depp faced professional setbacks, including being dropped from major franchises like Fantastic Beasts and Pirates of the Caribbean. Despite the fallout, Depp emphasized his commitment to speaking his truth — regardless of the consequences.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
13-08-2025
- Express Tribune
Johnny Depp open to Pirates of the Caribbean 6 return on one condition
Pirates of the Caribbean 6 remains in development, but producer Jerry Bruckheimer has confirmed that Johnny Depp is open to returning as Captain Jack Sparrow—if the script is to his liking. The franchise began as a Disneyland attraction before achieving worldwide success with Gore Verbinski's 2003 film The Curse of the Black Pearl. Depp's portrayal of Sparrow became a defining element of the series, which saw Verbinski direct the next two sequels before different directors took over for the fourth and fifth films. A sixth instalment has faced delays since 2018 due to creative changes, script rewrites, and Depp's high-profile legal dispute with ex-wife Amber Heard. Depp was dropped from the role during the controversy, but after the trial concluded with a jury finding Heard liable for defamation, public perception shifted. During the trial, Depp had said 'nothing on this earth' would make him return to the role, 'even if Disney presented me with $300 million and a million alpacas.' However, in a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Bruckheimer revealed that the actor is willing to discuss a comeback. 'If he likes the way the part's written, I think he would do it. It's all about what's on the page, as we all know,' Bruckheimer said. He also confirmed Pirates 6 will be a reboot but expressed his preference for Depp's involvement. 'If it was up to me, he would be in it. I love him. He's a good friend. He's an amazing artist and he's a unique look. He created Captain Jack,' Bruckheimer noted, recalling Depp's unique blend of influences in shaping the character.
Express Tribune
05-08-2025
- Express Tribune
Rihanna to reportedly reschedule postponed London comeback shows for 2026
Rihanna is reportedly planning to reschedule her postponed London Stadium shows for 2026, following a cancelled comeback tour originally expected this summer. According to The Sun, the singer and her team are working to finalise new dates, which could mark her return to the UK stage after nearly a decade. The initial rumour of a six-night residency at the London Stadium first surfaced in February via The Telegraph, which cited a 'senior concert industry source.' The first date was said to be scheduled for 4 July 2025, but no official announcement ever followed. A source told The Sun, 'Rihanna pulled the plug just days before her 2025 tour was due to be announced. There ended up being issues with production and scheduling conflicts, plus she didn't feel like her music was ready. But Rihanna and her team are now confident they can make it work for next year.' The revised 2026 dates are expected to align with the tenth anniversary of Rihanna's last studio album Anti, which was released in 2016. Fans can also look forward to new material, as Rihanna is reportedly preparing to share fresh music after years of anticipation. Earlier this year, she debuted the upbeat Afrobeats-inspired single Friend of Mine, created for the upcoming Smurfs animated film. Meanwhile, Rihanna is currently pregnant with her third child with A$AP Rocky, adding to the personal milestones surrounding her possible return to music and live performance.
Express Tribune
04-08-2025
- Express Tribune
Amber Heard tilts toward theatre life in Spain following name change
Amber Heard appears to have turned a new page in her life, personally and professionally, since relocating to Spain in the aftermath of her legal dispute with Johnny Depp. The actress, who now reportedly goes by the pseudonym Martha Jane Cannary, has embraced a quieter existence in Madrid while simultaneously making her professional stage debut. After the conclusion of her high-profile defamation trial in 2022, Heard left California and settled first on Mallorca and then in Madrid. She reportedly adopted the name Martha Jane Cannary, an homage to the legendary Calamity Jane, as a way to reclaim privacy and anonymity in public life. She speaks fluent Spanish and has described Spain as her home, choosing it for its relative calm following intense media scrutiny in the US. In May 2025 Heard surprised fans by announcing that she had welcomed twins, Agnes and Ocean, joining her daughter Oonagh Paige, born in 2021 via surrogate. Her Instagram post on Mother's Day reflected both achievement and fulfilment, 'My daughter Agnes and my son Ocean are keeping my hands (and my heart) full,' she wrote. Professionally, Heard has shifted from film to theatre, performing in Spirit of the People, a bilingual play by Jeremy O. Harris at the Williamstown Theatre Festival in Massachusetts. This marks her first acting role since 2023 and her debut on any theatrical stage. The production ran through early August 2025 and Gilbert produced increasingly positive feedback. Published photos and reviews praised her performance. Vanity Fair dubbed her portrayal 'exceptional particularly for someone in her professional theatrical debut,' noting her ability to embody a complex, Williams‑style character stretched across English and Spanish lines. The role showcased Heard's language fluency and emotional range. Fans and festival-goers echoed the sentiment, showering her with admiration and thanks on social media. At present, Heard has no confirmed upcoming film projects listed on IMDb, and there have been no public announcements regarding a return to Hollywood or the screen. Instead, her current trajectory appears focused on motherhood and artistic experimentation onstage. The name change, the move abroad, the bilingual theatre piece, and her expanding family suggest a deliberate departure from her previous public persona.
