Johnny Depp vs. Amber Heard was the trial of a lifetime. It had salacious details, A-list celebrities, rumors, gossip, drug abuse, defamation, and even defecation claims. Throughout the ups and downs of the trial and media circus, people’s perceptions of both Johnny Depp and Amber Heard shifted, as did their views of the relationship.
The Lawsuits
The defamation trial, launched by Johnny Depp for $50 million and countered with a $100 million claim by ex-wife Amber Heard, resulted from Heard’s Op-Ed in The Washington Post, where she documented her experience as the survivor of domestic abuse.
Amber Heard alleged that the Pirates of the Caribbean star repeatedly assaulted her and often broke down in sobs during her testimony.
Depp, meanwhile, alleged that Heard was the aggressor in the relationship and that he would try to retreat whenever she became violent. The couple had made audio recordings of their arguments during their marriage, and each side played clips during the trial.
The jury found Heard essentially guilty of defaming Depp in Fairfax County, Virginia, last summer. Depp was also found guilty of defaming Heard through his former lawyer Adam Waldman. Damages were dealt in their majority to the Pirates of the Caribbean star.
RELATED: Verdict Reached in the Johnny Depp v. Amber Heard Trial: What It Means for the ‘Pirates’ Actor
The Aftermath
As a result of the allegations, rumors, and drama surrounding the two stars, Johnny Depp was dropped from the Harry Potter spinoff series Fantastic Beasts, and he lost his role as Captain Jack Sparrow in The Walt Disney Company’s Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. Although Disney kept the animatronic Jack Sparrow on their popular attraction, there was little interest in keeping him in the film series.
There was also talk of Amber Heard losing her role as Mera in the Aquaman series. But despite losing the battle of public opinion, she appears to have landed on her feet. The actress has managed to maintain her role in the DC universe opposite Jason Momoa, as made clear in the Aquaman 2 trailer that was recently released.
Social Media Backlash
Many fans of Johnny Depp were notably upset by this news. They took to social media and got #JusticeForJohnnyDepp trending on Twitter.
The comments restore faith in humanity 😂
Nobody wants to watch a proven abuser on screen, especially not one who made false allegations and lied about donating millions to dying children and abused women.#AmberHeardIsAnAbuser #BoycottAquaman2 #JusticeforJohnnyDepp https://t.co/FwtXNcV29K— 🏴☠️ Ms. Willy Wonka 🐈⬛ (@wonkamatters) April 26, 2023
ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING.
they fire Johnny Depp from fantastic beast for being innocent and yet keep this abusive lowlife on in a shit film anyway.
disgusting
If she was a man his career would’ve been ended. #BoycottAquaman2 #AmberHeardIsAnAbuser #justiceforjohnnydepp!!!!! https://t.co/7FmZGtjXc8
— beth💋 (@b_evexo) April 26, 2023
Whatever happens regarding Amber Heard’s career, she will never have a spot on Disneyland’s or the Magic Kingdom’s Pirates of the Caribbean attraction.