The verdict in Johnny Depp vs Amber Heard case came around 3 months ago. But Amber Heard is not ready to accept the verdict and has filed an appeal against the verdict, claiming that she was not served with justice.
The Aquaman actress faced a long trial in the defamation case that was filed by the actor and her ex-husband, Johnny Depp. The actor filled the defamation case after Heard claimed to be a public figure representing domestic abuse in a news article.
The Depp vs Heard Verdict
Many revelations were made about both the actors during the trial. Johnny Depp was awarded a total of $10.4 million in damages.
In the process of the court hearing and due to the lawsuit Johnny Depp ended up losing his roles in the Pirates of the Caribbean and the Fantastic Beasts franchise. Where Depp completely lost two movie deals, Heard also said in court that her role in the DCEU’s Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom was cut.
Amber Heard and Johnny Depp
Amber Heard in Aquaman 2
She said, “I had to fight to stay in the movie. They didn’t want to include me in the film.” The role of Mera, the character played by Amber Heard, was reduced to around 20-30 minutes in the movie. But as per the recent developments, it came down to even less than that.
This came out as a satisfaction to Depp fans as they were all not happy with only him losing his projects and Heard having it all. Not just the movies, she also lost the deal with the cosmetics company L’Oréal.
The trial also ended up being entangled with the details of Aquaman 2 regarding the actress’ pay details and potential recasting.
Amber Heard Files Legal Appeal
After losing the legal battle to Johnny Depp, Heard was planning to file a legal appeal against the verdict. And if she does file an appeal, that may end up conflicting with the Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.
Amber Heard has already changed her lawyer, Elaine Charlson Bredehoft, and is also planning to replace most of the legal team for this appeal. The new lawyer representing her appeal will be David L. Legal experts have applauded her choice of lawyers for making an appeal in court.
The new lawyers are planning to go for the First Amendment for her appeal, which includes the right to freedom of speech. Her lawyers are confident that the court will reverse the judgment against Ms. Heard.
The case hearing may start around the same time Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom will be displayed in theatres. The movie will release on March 17, 2023.
The movie has been in a crossover ever since the Depp vs Heard trial and with this new appeal and the whole controversy, it can subsequently harm its performance. Considering this, Warner Brothers may consider other release options for the movie.
DC Continues to Face Challenges
Seems like DC is going through some tough times. With having to cancel multiple movies and coming up with a whole new plan for the movies to be released in the future. It does not get better with the Amber Heard controversy and the ongoing case with Ezra Miller.
Warner Bros. is facing hard times to market films with its first two releases of 2023, The Flash and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.
The situation is even worse with Ezra Miller, as he portrays the character and will be in the whole movie, unlike Amber Heard, who has a supporting role. The studio is already under scrutiny for canceling the much-awaited movie, Batgirl, and other projects.
Warner Bros. was hoping that the boycott scene for Aquaman 2 will die down by the release of the movie in 2023, but the new appeal may not let that happen. It is speculated that the studio may shift the release date further to avoid conflict and negative press due to the legal appeal.
Source: The Direct
