Depp is suing ex-wife Heard for $50 million following a 2018 op-ed piece regarding her alleged experience as a victim, and subsequent survivor, of domestic violence. Heard is countersuing the Corpse Bride star for $100 million.
The Alice In Wonderland star’s legal team has been hard at work trying to prove that Heard’s op-ed directly impacted his career, ultimately leading him to lose major Hollywood jobs. This week, key testimony indicated that Depp had signed on for Pirates of the Caribbean 6, but lost his role as Captain Jack Sparrow following the publication of the inflammatory article.
…forensic accountant Michael Spindler [testified] about Depp’s earnings after Heard published an op-ed that he claims falsely portrayed him as an abuser. Spindler said he examined accounting records, court exhibits, and “various other documents,” as well as deposition testimony, to assess Depp’s earnings from December 18, 2018 (the op-ed’s run date), to October 31, 2020. “I concluded that Mr. Depp suffered lost earnings of approximately $40 million,” Spindler said.
Spindler broke down this sum into two main components. First, Depp was poised to earn $22.5 million from the sixth Pirates installment, also known as Pirates 6 to the court. Second, Spindler calculated that Depp’s potential earnings from non-franchise flicks and endorsements could have totaled $17.5 million.
At this time, Disney has dumped Depp and Pirates of the Caribbean 6is reportedly set to star Margot Robbie in the leading role. A production timeline has not been confirmed by Disney.
Spindler’s testimony is likely to play a vital role in the jury’s decision. The trial will be on hiatus next week, but will resume the following Monday.
If you haven’t been following the ongoing Johnny Depp vs. Amber Heard case, in November 2020, Hollywood actor Depp lost his libel lawsuit against U.K. News Group Newspaper publication, The Sun, for their report that he had allegedly engaged in domestic violence — including a reported “hostage” situation during a Pirates of the Caribbean shoot in Australia — against the Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom actress on multiple occasions.
British Judge Andrew Nicol presided over the original proceedings, and Depp later lost his right to appeal the original ruling in the United Kingdom. The Jack Sparrow actor, for his part, has denied the domestic violence allegations, with even his ex-partners, Vanessa Paradis and Winona Ryder, speaking out in his defense at various points in time.
Depp has been fired from his two most high-profile parts — his iconic role as Captain Jack Sparrow in Disney’s Pirates franchise and as Gellert Grindelwald in Warner Bros. Fantastic Beasts series — as a result of the ongoing situation.
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Credit: Disney 
