In May 2022, actor Johnny Depp made headlines when he claimed he had helped his ex-wife, Amber Heard, get her role in the 2018 superhero movie Aquaman. Depp said he had recommended Heard to the studio, Warner Bros., but also warned them about her.
Depp and Heard were married from 2015 to 2017, and during their divorce proceedings, Heard accused Depp of domestic abuse. Depp denied the allegations and has since filed a $50 million defamation lawsuit against Heard.
In an interview with GQ magazine, Depp said he had been instrumental in getting Heard the role of Mera in Aquaman. He said he had recommended her to the studio, and they had taken his advice.
However, Depp also said he had warned Warner Bros. about Heard. He said he had told them she was “a bad investment” and that she was “a toxic person”.
Depp’s claims have been met with criticism from some, who say it is hypocritical for him to both help and warn against Heard. Others have pointed out that Depp has no way of knowing whether Heard was a “bad investment” or not, as Aquaman was a box office success.
The claims have also raised questions about the role of Hollywood in domestic abuse cases. Many have argued that studios should take more responsibility for the safety of their actors, and that Depp’s claims suggest that the industry is not doing enough to protect its stars.
Regardless of the outcome of Depp’s defamation lawsuit, his claims have brought the issue of domestic abuse back into the spotlight. It is clear that the industry needs to do more to protect its stars, and that more needs to be done to ensure that victims of domestic abuse are heard and supported.
