After an explosive six-week defamation trial followed by millions on social media and live television, Johnny Depp and Amber Heard face a tough battle: trying to rebuild their images and careers.
Key points:
- Experts say both performers emerge with unclear career prospects after a gruesome six-week trial
- Some say it’s a “classic murder-suicide” in terms of damage to their careers
- Others argue that they will return to work, but it will be some time before any study considers them a “safe” bet.
The verdict handed down in Virginia on Wednesday found that Depp had been defamed for three statements in an opinion piece written by Ms Heard in which she said she was a victim of abuse.
The jury awarded him more than $ 10 million (more than $ 13 million). But jurors also concluded that Ms. Heard was defamed by a Depp attorney who accused her of creating a detailed hoax on allegations of abuse. He received $ 2 million.
Depp had hoped the defamation suit would help restore his reputation.
However, legal and entertainment experts said the reputation of both actors has been damaged by ugly details about their brief marriage that came out during the televised trial seen by millions of people.
Depp hopes the outcome of the trial will help restore his reputation. (Reuters: Evelyn Hockstein / Pool)
How will judgment affect your careers?
Former entertainment lawyer Matthew Belloni, who writes about the Hollywood business for the Puck newsletter, said the personal injury of the trial was “too unpleasant” for a studio to want to deal with.
“Both will work again, but I think it will be some time before a big study considers them safe enough to bet,” Belloni said.
The case captivated viewers who watched TV coverage from hammer to hammer, including passionate followers on social media who analyzed the actors ’gestures, their costume choices, and their alcohol and drug use.
Both performers emerge with unclear prospects for their careers.
Eric Rose, an expert in crisis management and communications in Los Angeles, described the trial as a “classic murder-suicide” in terms of damage to both careers.
“From a reputation management perspective, there can be no winners,” he said.
“They’ve bled each other. Now it’s harder for studios to hire either actor because you’re potentially alienating a large segment of your audience who might not like the fact that you’ve hired Johnny or Amber for a specific project. because the feelings are so strong now. “
Which jobs have already been affected?
Depp sued Ms. Heard for defamation in Fairfax County Circuit Court for an opinion piece she wrote in December 2018 in The Washington Post described as “a public figure representing domestic abuse.” The essay never mentioned his name.
The jury ruled in favor of Mr. Depp in all three of his statements related to specific statements of the piece.
Mads Mikkelsen replaced Mr Depp as Gellert Grindelwald with Fantastic Beasts 3.
Depp’s future is also uncertain in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, which he blamed on Mrs. Heard’s accusations.
Producer Jerry Bruckheimer has revealed that two more Pirates scripts are in development, but none will include Mr Jack Sparrow’s Captain Jack Sparrow, a role that earned the actor an Oscar nomination.
His last appearance in the Disney-owned franchise was in 2017’s Dead Men Tell No Tales.
Dior has long used Mr Depp to promote the masculine fragrance Sauvage. The fashion house has kept quiet about allegations of abuse and still uses it in advertisements.
Ms Heard said Depp launched campaigns to fire her as L’Oreal’s ambassador and cut her short as the Mera character from an Aquaman sequel, although a production executive testified that she remained in the film. Film coming out next year.
Mrs. Heard’s upcoming roles are in a short film and the upcoming sequel to Aquaman. (AP: Evelyn Hockstein)
Will their careers ever recover?
Brett Ward, a New York family law attorney, said Depp became a more credible witness in admitting to using drugs and alcohol and could be a difficult person.
But he said Depp also ran the risk of making those moments more memorable to the audience than his film work.
“He says he did this for his kids. After seeing the whole trial, I don’t think he did any service to his kids by ventilating all that dirty clothes,” Ward said.
“But if that was worth it for Johnny Depp, we’ll know in five years’ time if he’s re-established as a top-notch Hollywood actor.
“What if he doesn’t? I think he’s made a terrible mistake because most people won’t remember his most distinguished career in Hollywood. They’ll remember that trial.”
Danny Deraney, who has conducted a public relations crisis for some of Hollywood’s #MeToo accusers, said that “when it comes to forgiving and when it comes to the things they’ve done,” men were generally more likely to women to find new jobs in the world. entertainment industry
“I think it’s going to be easier for Johnny. For Amber, whether she’s innocent or guilty or whatever, it’s going to be difficult,” Deraney said.
“I don’t think her career is necessarily over, but I’m sure she’ll be a good success because I think now everyone will see her as a hard-working woman, seeing her emotions as they did. Be it wrong or right. .
“I think they’ll look at it and say, ‘Do we want this on our set?’
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AP