Johnny Depp down but not entirely out after losing ‘wife beater’ case

Company Reporter

Johnny Depp’s loss in a libel battle in London will be the closing straw in a diminishing profession as a significant film star, however a lot of the injury had already been performed, Hollywood observers mentioned on Monday.

Depp, 57, greatest often known as the swaggering Jack Sparrow within the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise, had sued a British tabloid that labeled him a “wife-beater” throughout his tempestuous relationship together with his ex-wife, actress Amber Heard.

Depp had informed the courtroom he was by no means violent in the direction of his ex-wife and his legal professionals described the ruling as “perverse as it’s bewildering”, and mentioned it could be ridiculous for him to not attraction.

Matthew Belloni, former editorial director of the Hollywood Reporter, mentioned the sordid particulars of the short-lived marriage had been aired so usually lately that the London verdict possible had little impression within the trade.

“There’s a sense in Hollywood that Johnny Depp is a tainted model, and his dominance of the field workplace within the 2000s has come to an finish,” mentioned Belloni.

Depp has usually performed offbeat characters and has a military of followers utilizing social media hashtags like #JusticeForJohnnyDepp who reacted angrily to Monday’s verdict.

However incidents like head butting and scrawling graffiti within the blood that had been recounted within the July trial had been at odds with Depp’s family-friendly movies just like the “Pirates” and “Improbable Beasts” franchises.

“I feel that is the ultimate nail within the coffin of Johnny Depp’s model,” mentioned movie star branding skilled Jeetendr Sehdev. “The decision doesn’t align with that picture.”

Disney, which has been engaged on a reboot of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise, didn’t reply to queries on Monday about Depp’s future.

Producer Jerry Bruckheimer mentioned in a Could interview that it was unclear what Depp’s position could be in a sixth movie.

Depp’s casting as villain Gellert Grindelwald in “Improbable Beasts” had already provoked controversy in 2017. However he’s on board for a 3rd look within the Warner Bros. franchise, which started taking pictures final month. Warner Bros. didn’t reply to a request for touch upon Monday.

READ ALSO: UK judge to give ruling on Nov. 2 in Johnny Depp ‘wife beater’ case

Depp can also be the face of style home Dior’s male fragrances. Dior didn’t reply to a request for remark about its future relationship with the actor.

Belloni mentioned that whereas Hollywood studios “aren’t clamouring to be within the Depp enterprise anymore,” the actor’s profession was removed from over.

“He’s at all times going to work if he desires to as a result of he’s a gifted actor and there might be smaller movies that may solid him.

“If a type of grew to become a significant hit, he could also be again,” Belloni mentioned, recalling the comeback of Robert Downey Jr as “Iron Man” eight years after serving a 12 months in jail for drug possession.

Heard’s Hollywood profile is smaller. She is predicted to begin manufacturing in mid-2021 on “Aquaman 2” however Sehdev mentioned producers “would do properly to extend her position in that film.”

“She ought to completely reap the advantages of her bravery.

“Sentiment is altering the place we do imagine victims and we recognise that there’s a darker aspect to Hollywood,” Sehdev added, referring to the legal sexual assault convictions of producer Harvey Weinstein and comic Invoice Cosby.

(Reuters/NAN)