If you’ve been following the ongoing legal drama between actress Amber Heard and ex-husband actor Johnny Depp, you know that the situation has recently been evolving. Earlier this week, for instance, new evidence came to light due to recently released LAPD bodycam footage from a domestic situation in Los Angeles during which the police were called.
Related: Johnny Depp Fans Raise $40K for Children’s Hospitals
The drama started when U.K. News Group newspaper The Sun published an article alleging that Depp engaged in domestic violence against Heard on multiple occasions throughout their tumultuous relationship.
Depp’s lawyer and PR team — along with the Pirates of the Caribbean actor himself and two exes, Winona Ryder and Vanessa Paradis — immediately denied the allegations, and have continued to say they have no merit throughout a lengthy libel lawsuit, presided over by Judge Andrew Nicol.
Related: Johnny Depp’s ‘Pirates’ Considered “Doomed to Fail”
The verdict in the U.K. High Court libel case was not in Depp’s favor. He also recently lost the right to appeal the ruling, leaving him with little legal recourse in the United Kingdom.
Due to the domestic abuse allegations in his personal life, Depp’s once-thriving career has flagged, with the longtime Hollywood star losing his roles as both Captain Jack Sparrow in Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean franchise and Gellert Grindelwald in Warner Bros.’ Harry Potter Fantastic Beasts spinoff series.
Now, Depp’s ex-wife, Heard, has thrown down the gauntlet again, saying that Depp’s $50 million defamation suit in the United States should be tossed because of the “wife beater” ruling in the United Kingdom. Per Deadline:
“Giving full effect to the UK Judgments necessitates a finding that statements in the op-ed published in the Washington Post are true – Mr. Depp committed domestic violence against Ms. Heard on many occasions, causing her to fear for her life,” declares a supplemental plea in bar from Heard and Charlson Bredehoft Cohen & Brown, PC and Woods Rogers PC attorneys (read it here).
“Therefore, as a matter of law, Depp cannot prevail on any of his claims, and Depp’s Complaint against Ms. Heard should be dismissed in its entirety,” adds the April 13 filing that recently appeared on the Fairfax County docket.
Related: Amber Heard Fired From ‘Aquaman’? Here’s What We Know
It is worth noting that Heard has previously unsuccessfully tried to have Depp’s lawsuit thrown out. Deadline pointed out that she and her legal team are “making a bit of a long shot” with their current strategy.
At this time, unless something drastic changes, Depp is not expected to return for Pirates of the Caribbean 6 or Fantastic Beasts 3. Margot Robbie is expected to helm the next Pirates movie, while Star Wars actor Mads Mikkelsen has taken over as Grindelwald.
Related: Amber Heard Subpoenas Disney For Dirt On ‘Pirates’ Star Johnny Depp
Depp does, however, have continued support from his loyal fan base — #JusticeForJohnnyDepp is trending on social media, and a petition for him to be recast as Captain Jack Sparrow has reached over 500,000 signatures.
What do you think? Should Johnny Depp’s defamation lawsuit be tossed? Have you been following Heard’s claim of domestic abuse and the libel suit from the start?