In an extensive interview with The Times U.K., Johnny Depp shared his thoughts on being a “crash test dummy for #MeToo,” reflecting on his ongoing legal battles with his ex-wife Amber Heard. Depp stated, “My comeback? Honestly? I didn’t go anywhere. If I had the chance to split, I would never come back.” The iconic star of Pirates of the Caribbean described his exit from Hollywood as a “boycott” and expressed gratitude to the San Sebastián International Film Festival for their unwavering support amid the media frenzy. He received the festival’s prestigious Donostia Award in 2021, its highest honor, and his second directorial project, Modi: Three Days on the Wing of Madness, received a standing ovation from the audience last year.
“I have no regrets about anything — because truly, what can we do about last week’s dinner? Not a f—ing thing,” he remarked, addressing the highly publicized court trials with Heard. In 2022, Depp and Heard faced off in a contentious legal battle, where a jury unanimously ruled that Depp had been defamed. Following Heard’s appeal, both parties announced the case had been settled, with her settlement funds directed to charity. This legal drama stemmed from a 2018 op-ed in the Washington Post, where Heard identified herself as a survivor of domestic violence without naming Depp.
Throughout the trial, Depp’s fans rallied outside the courtroom, creating a tense atmosphere for Heard, who faced significant backlash online, including death threats. Research indicated that much of the animosity directed at her was fueled by artificial means. This Virginia case followed a separate libel suit in the U.K., where Depp was labeled a “wife beater” by The Sun; the judge sided with the publication in 2020, leading to Depp’s departure from the Fantastic Beasts franchise. The judge concluded that most allegations of abuse made by Heard were substantiated.
When asked why he opted for a public trial in the U.S., Depp explained, “Look, it had gone far enough. I knew I’d have to semi-eviscerate myself. Everyone said, ‘It’ll go away!’ But I can’t trust that. What will go away? The fiction circulating around the globe? No, it won’t. If I don’t try to represent the truth, it’ll be like I’ve actually committed the acts I am accused of. And my kids will have to live with it. So the night before the trial, I didn’t feel nervous. If you’re just speaking the truth? Roll the dice.” He added, “I’ll fight until the bitter f—ing end. And if I end up pumping gas? That’s all right. I’ve done that before.”
Depp also suggested that his experiences predated the #MeToo movement, contributing to a lack of support during his struggles. He noted, “I was like a crash test dummy for #MeToo. It was before Harvey Weinstein. I sponged it all in. I wanted to see who was playing it safe among the hundreds I’ve met in this industry.”
Since 2022, Depp has remained active in the entertainment world, challenging the notion of a “comeback.” He made a surprise appearance at the MTV Video Music Awards, embarked on a European tour with his band Hollywood Vampires, and participated in the Savage X Fenty fashion show. He is also set to reunite with Pirates of the Caribbean co-star Penelope Cruz in Lionsgate’s upcoming film Day Drinker, featuring Madelyn Cline, and is scheduled to film Terry Gilliam’s Carnival: At the End of Days alongside Adam Driver, Jeff Bridges, and Jason Momoa.
