Johnny Depp’s Trail Lawyer Feared the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ Actor Could Have Shown Anger on the Stand

by

As a seasoned movie buff with over three decades of watching Hollywood unfold before my eyes, I must say the saga between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard has been nothing short of captivating, albeit bittersweet. The high-profile trial was indeed a spectacle that left many of us questioning the true nature of celebrity relationships and the blurred line between reality and fiction.

Two years have now passed since Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s highly publicized trial graced our screens as one of the most sensationalized court cases ever broadcasted on television. Even with time marching forward, debates persist regarding how each actor conducted themselves during and in the aftermath of the verdicts. Although Depp was deemed victorious in the main, having been found guilty of his own defamation charge, his legal team has admitted they harbored concerns about his ability to maintain composure while testifying. (As a movie reviewer, I find myself constantly evaluating performances and this analogy seems fitting.)

In a recent A&E special titled “Interrogation Raw: Celebrity Under Oath“, one of Johnny Depp’s attorneys, Benjamin Chew, shares that while Depp was known for his humorous approach when dealing with Heard’s legal team, there was concern he might be provoked into displaying anger during the court proceedings. Chew expressed this concern in these words:

“Johnny’s use of humor really undermined whatever serious point Amber’s counsel was trying to make. We wanted to humanize Johnny before the jury so they could understand why hitting the woman he loved was something that he’s just not capable of. But the one thing that we’re concerned about is whether he might lose his temper. The other side is gonna do everything possible to get Johnny to show anger.”

Despite the frequent questioning by the prosecution, such a scenario didn’t materialize for Depp.

One key strategy that lawyers employ during cross-examination is attempting to manage the witness. However, in this case, Johnny effectively thwarted his attorney, Ben Rottenborn, from maintaining control over him.

The Fallout of Depp vs. Heard

Since the high-profile court case involving Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, it appears that these two celebrities have been living rather distinct and apparently dissimilar lives. After six weeks under intense public scrutiny, both individuals needed some time for reflection, and now seem to be focusing on different career trajectories.

As a dedicated cinephile, I bid farewell to Tinseltown and relocated to sunny Spain, yearning for a life away from the glaring limelight. Although I graced the screen in 2023’s Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, my scenes were shot well before the trial; it marked my final significant role thus far. Earlier this year, rumors swirled that I was eager to dive back into acting, but come December, news broke that I am anticipating my second bundle of joy. Lately, I’ve voiced my support for Blake Lively after learning about her lawsuit against Justin Baldoni, a fellow actor who once shared a PR firm with my ex.

Depp, meanwhile, has been quietly returning to work in Hollywood with a return to acting with Jeanne Du Barry, and a stint behind the camera on Modi: Three Days on the Wing of Madness. He is reportedly playing Satan in a new Terry Gilliam movie, reteaming with Penelope Cruz for the thriller Day Drinker, and could still be seen back in the role of Jack Sparrow in a new Pirates of the Caribbean movie.

Read More

2024-12-28 21:03