Johnny Depp (L); Amber Heard.Photo: Marc Piasecki/WireImage; Phillip Faraone/Getty
Johnny Depp andAmber Heardare going back to court.
This Monday, April 11, will see the start of Depp’s long-delayed defamation trial against ex-wife Heard, whom he met making the 2011 movieThe Rum Diaryand married in 2015. The pair then broke up in May 2016, when she sought a domestic violence restraining order against him, accusing him of abusing her. Depp denied the claims, and the former couple settled theirdivorceout of court in August 2016.
After severalpostponementssince Depp originally filed the $50 million lawsuit in March 2019, the trial is officially set to kick off in Fairfax, Virginia, next week. Read on for everything to know about the proceedings — including how to watch from home.
How is this trial different from the one in London?
Back in November 2020, Depplost his highly publicized U.K. libel lawsuit caseagainst British tabloidThe Sunfor calling him a “wife-beater.” The court upheld the outlet’s claims as being “substantially true” and Heard testified to back up the claims. In March 2021, thePirates of the Caribbeanstar’s attempt tooverturn the decision was overruled.
For this libel case, however, Depp is suing Heard directly and not a media company, making her obligations and requirements to participate in the proceedings different this time around.
Heard previously asked to dismiss Depp’s Virginia lawsuit, arguing that the U.K. judgment should hold sway on the proceedings in the U.S. since both lawsuits center on allegations of Depp as an abuser. In August, however, a Virginia judge grantedDepp the right to pursue his lawsuit, denying Heard’s supplemental plea to dismiss the case.
This case also differs from the last since a jury will determine the outcome, not a judge alone, like in the U.K. verdict.
Who is involved?
A number of famous people connected to the former couple are expected to testify as witnesses, some virtually.
Deadline reported that Heard is set to have herPineapple Expresscostar and friend James Franco, actress Ellen Barkin, and Tesla CEO Elon Musk testify virtually as witnesses for her at the trial.WandaVisionactor Paul Bettany will testify virtually for Depp, after thestar’s texts with Depp were made publicin the previous trial as well.
Heard previously said in court overseas that she onceconfided in Franco about bruisesshe sustained from an alleged fight with Depp. Also, in his lawsuit, Deppclaims that Heard had an affair with Musk"no later than one month after" she and Depp got married.
John Phillips/Getty Images; Phillip Faraone/Getty Images; Frazer Harrison/FilmMagic; Tommaso Boddi/WireImage
(A rep for Musk previously said that “Elon and Amber didn’t start seeing each other until May 2016, and even then it was infrequent. Their relationship didn’t become romantic until some time later.")
According to Deadline, text messages between Depp, Heard and their colleagues will also be aired out in court, including exchanges between Heard and Jason Momoa andAquamandirector James Wan, as well asJustice Leaguedirector Zack Synder. Additionally, messages between Depp andFantastic Beastsscreenwriter J.K. Rowling will also reportedly be revealed.
Rowlinghas publicly defended Depp, though he was replaced in theHarry Potterprequel franchise with actor Mads Mikkelsen in the newFantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore.
How to tune in
source: people.com
