Actor Johnny Depp will face off against his ex-wife, actress Amber Heard, again. This time, a court in Virginia will determine if Depp suffered defamation from an opinion piece that Heard wrote in The Washington Post shortly after their divorce in 2018.
Transcript:
Female Reporter:
Actor Johnny Depp will face off against his ex-wife, actress Amber Heard, again. This time, a court in Virginia will determine if Depp suffered defamation from an opinion piece that Heard wrote in The Washington Post shortly after their divorce in 2018. Noel Phillips is following the trial as jury selection begins today. He has this report.
Noel Phillips, Reporter:
A courtroom drama based on a true story. Actor Johnny Depp embroiled in a bitter legal fight with his ex-wife, Amber Heard. Depp has filed a $50 million defamation lawsuit against Heard for an opinion piece which she wrote for The Washington Post in 2018, which he claims damaged his reputation…
Captain Jack Sparrow (clip):
“Everyone stay calm. We are taking over the ship.”
Noel Phillips, Reporter:
…and cost him his iconic role as Captain Jack Sparrow in “The Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise.
Dror Bikel:
Both of them are fighting for their legacy, particularly Johnny Depp, because he’s a little older. He’s 20 years older than Amber Heard. He has a legacy of work, and he’s been shunned by Hollywood.
Noel Phillips, Reporter:
Since their divorce four years ago, both Depp and Heard have made serious accusations against each other about domestic violence. Their civil case, which will be broadcast live on TV, will be explosive, according to this legal expert.
Dror Bikel:
It’s one against the other. It’s Johnny Depp versus Amber Heard, so they’re going to be testifying against each other, locking heads. Also, you have this added element of Elon Musk and James Franco and other high-visibility celebrity people who are going to be part of this trial.
Noel Phillips, Reporter:
The court will also be shown previously unseen police bodycam footage from one of the former couple’s altercations. At the high court two years ago, Johnny Depp was dealt a major blow when a judge dismissed his claims against The Sun newspaper for libel. Five jurors will now decide the outcome of this case, which is already shaping up to be a vicious PR battle. Noel Phillips, Good Morning Britain, in Virginia.