The Johnny Depp v Amber Heard trial started on 12 April 2022 and finally reached a verdict on June 1. The defamation case which dragged on for 50 days in the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse has not just been about fighting the allegations of domestic violence and abuse. It has also been about restoring the reputation and respect that Depp had lost since the 2018 Washington Post op-ed was published. The initial blame which was all on Depp gradually shifted toward Heard as the trial progressed. Coupled with the incompetency of Heard’s lawyers and internet mockery of the actress’s testimonies, Depp was already acquitted by the public even before the jury verdict was out. Now, a Hollywood producer has come forward to share thoughts on where the trial leaves Depp after the official, legal verdict.
Also read: Is Johnny Depp Planning a Deviation in Career From Acting to Music?
Where Does Johnny Depp Go From Here?
The entire trial played out to the world like a soap opera. Even more than the final jury verdict, people were aware of the social implications that would result from each piece of evidence being publicly aired out. Every person on social media had a say in the matter. It’s evident now that even with all the public support (and especially because of the publicity), any company that takes on Johnny Depp will be under immense PR scrutiny and may have to consider future liability when it comes to the actor.
Also read: Experts Reveal Stupendous Amount of Time Depp Needs to Become an A-Lister Again
This comes straight from the horse’s mouth as a Hollywood producer who worked closely with the actor before says no studio would want to risk their billion-dollar franchise over someone who’s “throwing bottles and taking drugs.” He also said, “The damage that’s done is done, and from this, it might start a process back to some sort of normalcy but I don’t think he’s going to get big, big studio jobs where there’s so much on the line.”
Also read: Ricky Gervais Once Said Depp’s Career Would Be Over if People Knew Who He Was
The Aftermath of the Trial
The slander has surely left both parties wrecked in the aftermath of the trial. The case which was initially based upon Heard’s allegations of Depp’s substance abuse and alleged violence had all fingers pointing only at the plaintiff until the publicly televised defamation trial. But over the course of the trial, the primary focus shifted from the “abusive ex-husband” to a woman who willfully lied on the stand about multiple things and was recorded as being equally abusive toward the said husband.
Also read: Depp Historically Wins Defamation Case in Unanimous Jury Verdict
Perhaps Depp’s strategy was not to wash away all the stains attached to his name but to bring forward evidence that he was not the only guilty person in the relationship. And if that was truly the case, his strategy worked, perhaps even better than he expected it to.
Johnny Depp has won both within the legal court and in the court of public opinion. He won the $50 million defamation lawsuit against Amber Heard. He has been awarded $10.35 million in punitive damages and compensation by the court.
