In a recent interview with The Times U.K., Johnny Depp claimed he was a “crash test dummy for #MeToo,” reflecting on his protracted legal battle with actress and ex-wife Amber Heard.
“My comeback? Honestly? I didn’t go anywhere,” he said. “If I had the chance to split I would never come back.”
The Pirates of the Caribbean star, who classified his ousting from Hollywood as a “boycott,” praised the San Sebastián International Film Festival for sticking with him through “all the hit pieces, the bullsh–.”
In 2021, the festival awarded him the prestigious Donostia, its highest honor, and last year, his second directorial effort, “Modi: Three Days on the Wing of Madness,” received a standing ovation from the audience.
“No, I have no regrets about anything — because, truly, what can we do about last week’s dinner? Not a f—ing thing,” he said of the much-publicized court trial with Heard.
In 2022, Johnny Depp and Amber Heard were involved in a contentious court battle, during which a jury unanimously ruled that Heard had defamed Depp. After Heard filed an appeal regarding the verdict, both parties announced separately that they had reached a settlement, with Heard’s payment being directed to charity. The case originated from a 2018 op-ed in the Washington Post in which Heard claimed to be a survivor of domestic violence but did not mention Depp by name.
Throughout the media frenzy surrounding the live-streamed trial, Heard—who naturally held less power and visibility compared to the well-known and beloved Depp—faced significant backlash. She was subjected to harsh criticism both online and from Depp’s fans who gathered outside the courthouse, where she received death threats. Studies conducted by a research firm suggested that a portion of the overwhelming animosity directed towards her on social media was not entirely generated by human users.
