Johnny Depp-Amber Heard trial: Celebrities, Disney representatives called as witnesses
After a long delay, Hollywood actor Johnny Depp's defamation trial against his former wife, actor Amber Heard, is nearing its hearing. In February 2021, a Virginia court set April 11, 2022, as the next hearing date. If the case indeed goes to trial following a summary judgment on March 24, the court will see top actors, celebrities, and Disney representatives, among others, as witnesses.
Why does this story matter?
The suit began in March 2019 when the Edward Scissorhands actor sued Heard for $50mn for allegedly defaming him in a 2018 Washington Post op-ed, where she called him a domestic abuser. When Heard failed to get the case dismissed, she filed a counter-suit for $100mn in September 2020. Notably, in November 2020, Depp had also his libel suit against UK tabloid, The Sun.
James Franco, Paul Bettany, Elon Musk make witness list
A summary judgment motion—a request for the court to rule the other party has no case—is set for March 24. If matters reach trial, then 127 Hours actor James Franco, WandaVision star Paul Bettany, and entrepreneur Elon Musk might appear at the courthouse, reported Deadline. Alongside friends and families of the ex-couple, Walt Disney Company and Warner Bros. representatives will be called in, too.
Both Depp and Heard to take stand in person
The Pirates of the Caribbean star had accused Heard of having affairs with both Franco and Musk. Thus, they will be on the Aquaman actor's witness list. Meanwhile, Avengers alum Bettany is an old friend of Depp and thus, will be present via video link. As per reports, both Depp and Heard are going to take the stand in person during the much-publicized trial.
Wide-ranging private correspondence will come out in public
Presided by Judge Penney S Azcarate, the courthouse will see the correspondence of multiple celebrities as part of the actors' exhibit lists. For now, Heard's exhibit list has come out where texts exchanged between her and Aquaman co-star Jason Momoa and director James Wan will be included. Emails between Depp and Fantastic Beasts creator JK Rowling, film contracts, and tax returns will also be included.
We can expect trial to provide resolution to long-drawn battle
There's no information available about Depp's exhibit list yet. The trial, expected to go on for two weeks, is expected to conclude a long-drawn battle between the actors as well as their fans. Following domestic abuse allegations, the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory actor was dropped from the Fantastic Beasts franchise, which led to his fans' widespread online outrage against The Danish Girl star.
