Life has its ups and downs, and one is said to receive their fair share of both throughout their lifetime. Johnny Depp is no stranger to this belief and has faced both untold adulation from playing lead roles in fan-favourite films, most memorably the Pirates of the Caribbean (2003-2017) franchise, where he played the iconic Captain Jack Sparrow, to being dragged through the ignominy of facing a public trial on libelous charges from his ex-wife.
The actor has earned himself legions of fans but has also grown a distinctive band of media trolls who have spurned him on social media repeatedly. The libel charges were dropped in a court of law, but the court of public opinion still remains edgy about both parties in the case. Depp has evidently grown tired of facing the vitriol back home in the United States and has been looking for a change elsewhere, namely, Europe.
The Johnny Depp-Amber Heard fiasco
Two of the better-known faces in Hollywood are Amber Heard and Johnny Depp, actors who married in 2015 and divorced shortly afterward. Heard accused Depp of committing acts of domestic violence, and later, sexually abusing her. Initial judicial proceedings were against Depp, who had in turn accused Heard of damaging his reputation and career with her libelous claims.
Also read: ‘This Was About Restoring Reputation’: Johnny Depp May Waive Off $10M Compensation From Amber Heard
Depp sued his ex-wife for $50 million in damages, while Heard countersued him for $100 million. The Heard-Depp trial, with the ex-wife accusing the actor of horrifying acts of violence against her, and the latter refuting her claims while countersuing for libel, took place in April-June 2022 in the United States. The court found in favour of Depp, after which Heard put forward motions to change the verdict, only in vain. In the end, the actors settled, with Heard reportedly having to pay Depp $1 million.
Where is the actor-turned-singer now?
Johnny Depp has apparently done away with America. The country that once spawned him his millions of fans worldwide has also become the base for some of his strongest haters.Depp reportedly has moved to Europe, specifically, London.
A source close to Depp said: “The hubbub and craziness of LA and New York can be exhausting. As much as London and Paris are busy, thriving cities, Johnny still feels he can relax and be creative there. He has always loved Europe, and people love him there. He feels very at home there and finds the European lifestyle a bit more his speed.”
Depp has always maintained that his first love is music. He has apparently been living with his friends and in hotels. He had been staying with his friend Jeff Beck, guitarist, in Sussex, before the latter passed away recently at 78, after which Depp moved to London.
What is next for Johnny Depp?
Depp is in line to play the role of Louis XV in La Favourite(2023) which is set to release later this year. As of now, the actor is traveling with his band, the Hollywood Vampires, across Europe. The band features Alice Cooper, Joe Perry, and Tommy Henriksen, alongside Johnny.
It is believed that Johnny feels his European fans are more welcoming toward him compared to their American counterparts in the wake of the fallout from the landmark trial. Pirates of the Caribbean have dropped their star lead in Depp as a result of the allegations made by Amber Heard, and how fans respond to the franchise in the future without him remains to be seen. One can only wait for Depp to return to owning the big screen again.
Source: Evening Standard
