Johnny Depp.Photo: SC Pool - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images
Johnny Deppis speaking out for the first time since losing his well-publicized"wife-beater" libel casein the U.K. last year.
In an interview with U.K.‘sThe Sunday Times,thePirates of the Caribbeanactor, 58, claimed that there’s a “boycott” of him in Hollywood as he discussed his latest film,Minamata.The movie premiered in the U.K. last week but has not been given a U.S. release.
“Some films touch people and this affects those inMinamataand people who experience similar things. And for anything … for Hollywood’s boycott of me?” he told the outlet. “One man, one actor in an unpleasant and messy situation, over the last number of years?”
“But, you know, I’m moving towards where I need to go to make all that . . . to bring things to light,” Depp added.
InMinamata, Depp plays W. Eugene Smith, a photojournalist who visited the town of Minamata in Japan in the 1970s to document the effects of mercury poisoning there.
Amber Heard (L); Johnny Depp.Venturelli/Getty; John Phillips/Getty
When asked if Smith’s despair resonated with him, Depp toldThe Sunday Times, “I didn’t approach playing Smith in that way . . . Although you bring your toolbox to work and use what is available. Having experienced . . . A surreal five years.”
Depp seemed to be referencing his legal troubles since his split from ex-wifeAmber Heardin 2017, who has accused him of domestic violence. The actor has adamantly denied all the allegations against him.
In November, Depplost his libel lawsuitagainst the U.K.‘sThe Sunnewspaper for labeling him as a “wife-beater” in a 2018 article. In a written statement, presiding judge Mr. Justice Nicol ruled that The Sun’s article was “substantially true.”
In March, he argued that the original trial ruling should be overturned, claiming that Heard’s pledge to donateher $7 million divorce settlementto charity was a “calculated and manipulative lie” that “subliminally” influenced the judge on the case.A court upheld the original ruling.
Depp laterexited the roleof dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald in theHarry Potterspinoff series,Fantastic Beasts, after losing the libel suit againstThe Sun.
Depp has also disputed Heard’s donations to the ACLU and the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles as part of his ongoing $50 million defamation lawsuit against her in the U.S. for her 2018Washington Postop-ed in which she wrote about surviving domestic violence.
Earlier this month, a New York judgegranted the actor permissionto determine whether Heard had donated to the ACLU. The organization has been asked to release the documents to confirm.
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“We produced the documents from the ACLU on how much she has. She has always said she fully intends to continue to give the full $7 million, but she can’t do it yet. She will do it when she can. But she has given a significant amount to both,” Bredehoft added of Heard.
source: people.com
