When it comes to long and turbulent legal battles between celebrities, Johnny Depp and Amber Heard are two of the first people who come to mind. However, these days, the conflict between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni has taken over the headlines. Now, experts are weighing in about the parallels between these two cases, and the potential consequences that could crop up if the Gossip Girl actress brings Depp and Heard’s legal battle into her case.

For context, last month, a claim was made by Lively's camp that Baldoni’s team hired a crisis PR strategist who had been connected to Depp’s legal battle. The argument they’re trying to make is that this shows “intent, not guilt by association,” per Fox News. Meanwhile, Baldoni's team called out this comparison, saying it was a distraction.

Overall, the consensus among the experts who spoke to the outlet centers around the notion of how fast narratives can be flipped. Speaking specifically about the “court of public opinion,” branding expert Doug Eldridge explained that Lively’s initial complaint and early moves were quickly “undercut” by Baldoni’s response and subsequent moves. Speaking about the impact of all this, he said:

This is what led Eldridge to the potential impact of comparing Lively and Baldoni’s case to Depp and Heard’s. According to him, making that highly publicized legal battle a reference point could be detrimental to the A Simple Favor actress:

To contextualize this conversation with where the It Ends With Us battle is right now, it comes after Judge Lewis J. Liman threw out the majority of Livley’s claims. Now, the focus of the case is on the retaliation and breach of contract claims.

Now, with the trial set for this month, entertainment attorney Jordan Matthews explained why the actress potentially connecting herself to Amber Heard could be damaging:

He went on to say that Heard’s loss to Depp was “devastating, not only financially, but also in terms of her career and public image.” Matthews also explained that generally, narratives like this don’t just shape what is said online, it can also impact a jury’s perception.

Another entertainment attorney, Trey Lovell, agreed that drawing parallels between Lively and Heard would not be useful. Explaining why there’s “no benefit” in this, the lawyer said:

Meanwhile, crisis and reputation management expert Dave Quast said that a Depp-Heard comparison here would only be useful if it’s used “as context, not as a direct analogy.” He noted that that’s because the older case provides a “familiar frame for understanding how a celebrity dispute can become a viral referendum on a woman’s credibility, likability and motives.”

Now, as we get closer to the trial date, we’ll have to wait and see if Amber Heard and Johnny Depp are brought up in the legal battle between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni.

Many remain focused on the saga involving the disappearance of Today Show co-host Savannah Guthrie’s 84-year-old mother, Nancy. The matriarch was last seen nearly two weeks ago and subsequently reported missing, and a criminal investigation was later launched. Amid the reports, Savannah and her family have been garnering significant attention, and that includes her husband, Michael Feldman. For Feldman, this marks yet another public matter he’s been linked to, as he also has ties to Depp v. Heard.

How Is Savannah Guthrie’s Husband Linked To Johnny Depp And Amber Heard’s Trial

Guthrie and Feldman tied the knot back in 2014 and share two children. While Guthrie has covered various new stories as a journalist, her hubby has an interesting career as well. Feldman serves as a founding member of the consulting, communications and advocacy firm The Glover Park Group, where he’s also the managing director. Additionally, Feldman is also a partner with the strategic communications firm FGS Global, which has a key connection to Amber Heard and Johnny Depp’s (televised) court case.

Heading up Depp’s legal team were Camille Vasquez (who gained a lot of notoriety) and Benjamin Chew, and the pair consulted with at least one other entity while forming their case. The team sought out FGS Global, and Michael Feldman helped with the consulting work. Savannah Guthrie herself confirmed her hubby’s link to the case when she interviewed Chew and Vasquez on Today in 2022. At the start of the chat, which is on X, Guthrie also specified, though, that Feldman hadn’t consulted with the duo ahead of the interview.

So it’s possible that anyone who thought Feldman’s name seemed familiar around this time may have heard it during Depp and Heard’s highly publicized legal dispute. A verdict in that defamation case was delivered in June 2022 with Heard being found guilty on three counts of defamation and Depp on two counts. As for the specific ways in which FGS contributed to the success of Depp’s camp, the general public isn’t privy to those details.

Michael Feldman, of course, now finds himself involved in a very different kind of legal matter. Throughout the search for his mother-in-law, Feldman has been showing support for his spouse and, through social media. Like his wife, he’s also taken to Instagram in an attempt to garner assistance from the general public in tracking down anyone who might be involved in Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance.

What’s Going On With The Search For Savannah Guthrie’s Mother?

Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her residence in Catalina Foothills, Arizona at around 9:45 p.m. on January 31. The criminal investigation was launched due to reported evidence that seemed to indicate that Guthrie was taken from her home against her will. As of this writing, however, no arrests have been made in the case. Since then, Savannah and her siblings, Cameron and Annie, have appeared in videos shared to social media. In one video that dropped earlier this month, the three acknowledged that a supposed ransom note had been submitted and, in another video released days later, Savannah and co. addressed an unspecified person or group linked to their mother’s disappearance.

Because of the situation, Savannah Guthrie has been taking time off from Today and, all the while, she’s received support from her colleagues. Hoda Kotb returned to the program just recently and has been covering for Guthrie in her absence. Having retired from the morning show in 2025, Kotb said she was “happy” to be back, because it meant she was able to show up for her work family. All the while, Today has reportedly seen high viewership due to the combination of the Winter Olympics and coverage of the Guthrie saga.

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department continues to investigate leads in the hopes of discovering Nancy Guthrie’s whereabouts. At present, the FBI is offering a reward of $100,000 for information that leads to an arrest or conviction. Based on what’s known, Savannah, Michael Feldman and their loved ones are still awaiting updates.

As conversations around Johnny Depp and Amber Heard resurface once again, new attention is being paid to the earliest days of their relationship, specifically, the moments leading up to their brief marriage. With Heard recently speaking publicly again about the fallout from their legal battles, previously reported accounts about concerns raised before the wedding are circulating anew, including a warning allegedly delivered by the Deadman star’s own sister.

According to Vanity Fair, multiple people close to Depp recalled that the relationship was already volatile by the time the couple married in February 2015, but one of the most direct interventions came from the actor’s sister, Christi Dembrowski, who also served as his longtime business manager. Her message, as recalled by insiders, was direct and urgent:

Bruce Witkin, musician and close friend, recalled that both he and Dembrowski urged the Sweeney Todd actor to delay the wedding, stressing that there was no external pressure forcing him to proceed. Witkin claims Dembrowski became emotional, crying as she tried to persuade her brother to reconsider while also pushing for basic legal protections, such as a prenuptial agreement.

Despite those warnings, the wedding moved forward quickly. Heard reportedly wanted to marry before Depp left for a lengthy shoot on the next entry in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, which would require him to live in Australia for months. Heard later said she believed formalizing the relationship would bring stability. The long-time Jack Sparrow actor’s camp, however, viewed the urgency differently, with some suggesting the timing was financially motivated by how marital assets would be handled once filming began.

Accounts from Depp’s assistants and staff paint a picture of a chaotic lead-up. Several people said they weren’t even aware a wedding was happening until days beforehand. The Los Angeles ceremony itself was described as tense and hurried, with the Lone Ranger star expressing private doubts on the day of the wedding. His longtime bodyguard, Malcolm Connolly, recalled asking him point-blank whether he truly wanted to go through with it. The actor allegedly answered that he didn’t, but still felt unable to walk away.

That unease reportedly carried into the ceremony itself. Witnesses described a small gathering where discomfort was allegedly visible and a lot of drug use. Depp’s mother, Betty Sue Palmer, was said to have openly questioned the relationship during the vows, making remarks that others in the room could hear. Despite the misgivings, the couple completed the ceremony and, within days, hosted a second wedding celebration on the Kentucky native’s private island in the Bahamas.

Multiple attendees later described the island wedding as disorganized and emotionally charged, with the high-profile A-lister appearing withdrawn. According to insiders, Heard took a more active role in hosting. Several people noted that the guest list skewed heavily toward Heard’s friends and family, reinforcing the feeling among the Depp team that the event wasn’t a shared undertaking.

In hindsight, those early concerns have taken on renewed significance given how the marriage unraveled soon after. The couple separated in 2016, setting off years of legal battles, allegations, and public scrutiny that culminated in the 2022 defamation trial. While both parties have offered starkly different accounts of what happened behind closed doors, reports allege that doubts about the marriage existed long before the courtroom.

As Heard now says she no longer wants to speak publicly about her past, and Depp continues his career comeback, these recollections serve as a reminder of how many people close to the actor saw trouble coming and tried, unsuccessfully, to stop it before it began.

Several years ago, former spouses Amber Heard and Johnny Depp became embroiled in a legal situation that ultimately resulted in a trial over alleged defamation. By the fall of 2022, a verdict was delivered, and it was largely in Depp’s favor. Now, over three years later, Heard is discussing her experiences with the situation in a new documentary. As part of that production, the actress not only clarifies her reasons for joining the film but also meditates on the ramifications of previously speaking out on her issues with her former spouse.

Heard is one of several interviewees in the documentary Silenced, which is directed by Selina Miles. At the center of the doc is Australian human rights lawyer Jennifer Robinson, who notably represented Heard several years back. The Aquaman alum is one of several women featured in the doc, who made allegations of abuse, sexual misconduct and more against people. As for Heard, she spoke candidly (via Variety) with Miles about how she feels about using her voice at this point in her life:

After The Sun referred to Johnny Depp – who was married to Amber Heard from 2015 to 2016 – as a “wife beater,” he filed suit against publisher News Group Newspapers for libel. Depp, who lost the libel case in 2020, came into direct conflict with Heard after she wrote an op-ed for The Washington Post in which she claimed to have been subjected to sexual violence. Depp eventually sued his ex-wife for defamation, and she countersued. The Depp v. Heard trial lasted from April to June 2022 and ended with Heard being found guilty on three counts of defamation and Depp being found guilty on one count.

Silenced shows the aforementioned situation from the perspective of Heard, who was initially ordered to pay $15 million in damages. (Depp was also ordered to pay out $2 million.) The documentary shows Heard facing public criticism from fans of Depp, who apparently threw trash at her whenever she walked in and out of the courthouse during the Sun trial, for which she was a key witness. During the film, Heard also recalled a conversation she had with Jennifer Robinson at the end of that case:

While Amber Heard is now sharing her account of events, Johnny Depp previously recalled his experiences with the defamation trial. Depp opened up during a 2025 interview, at which point he acknowledged the various statements shared by his ex-girlfriends as well as reported pieces of evidence including photos of feces and a severed finger. The Pirates of the Caribbean star said he felt compelled to prove his innocence and said he knew he’d have to “have to semi-eviscerate” to a degree in order to do so.

Both Heard and Depp are reportedly in different places in their lives at this point. Depp is in the midst of a Hollywood comeback and has since booked Day Drinker and is also set to headline a Scrooge movie. Meanwhile, Heard moved to Spain and, despite reports that she quit Hollywood, she’s still continuing to act in both screen and stage productions.

Given Amber Heard’s comments about no longer wanting to use her voice to talk about her personal journey, it’s unclear she’ll ever discuss her legal battle with Johnny Depp publicly again. Those interested in hearing her segments in Silenced – which recently premiered at the Sundance Film Festival – will have to wait until the doc lands a distributor.

Johnny Depp has made headlines in recent years, though a significant portion of that news was in relation to personal matters as opposed to professional ones. The 62-year-old actor was involved in a few high-profile legal matters involving his ex-wife, Amber Heard. At this point, those situations appear to be behind Depp, who’s been having a Hollywood resurgence as of late. Now, Depp is opening up about the fact that so many details regarding his personal life were made public amid his legal skirmish with Heard.

In 2018, after The Sun referred to Johnny Depp as a “wife beater” in an article, the star filed suit against the outlet’s publisher – News Group Newspapers – for libel. Ultimately, Depp lost his case in 2020, with the court ruling that many of the reported acts of violence that he purportedly committed were proven true. Depp later sued Amber Heard for defamation in 2019 over an op-ed she wrote the year before in The Washington Post about sexual violence. Heard also countersued Depp for alleged instances of defamation.

Amid this particular Heard/Depp legal battle, the two former spouses leveled various allegations against each other. As noted in The Times’ profile of Depp, statements were also submitted from his former girlfriends and photos of a severed finger, wine and more were included as evidence. Reflecting on all of that while speaking to the aforementioned news outlet, Depp shared his belief that it was necessary in order to present “the truth” of the situation:

The Oscar nominee went on to say that he understood that the legal battle would be difficult for him. However, he says he was willing to “fight” as necessary to make his case:

The case of Depp v. Heard was conducted in Fairfax County, Virginia in 2022, running from mid April to early June of that year. (Said trial was also available for viewers to watch on TV.) Depp enlisted the services of several attorneys while attempting to make his case, including Camille Vasquez, who frequently fielded questions about her client and her team’s legal strategy. Ultimately, the verdict went in favor of Depp, who was awarded $15 million in compensatory and punitive damages combined (with the latter later being reduced due to a VA law.) Heard, who was found guilty of three counts of defamation, also received $2 million in compensatory damages.

Since the trial, Johnny Depp has gradually been making career moves. He’s since starred in Jeanne du Barry, a historical drama that was released in 2023, and Depp also teamed up with Al Pacino by directing and producing a biopic, Modì, Three Days on the Wing of Madness. Right now, Depp is looking towards the release of his first Day Drinker, which marks his first film with a major Hollywood studio since 2018’s Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.

Overall, in the aftermath of his legal woes with Amber Heard (who’s now living in Spain), Johnny Depp is reportedly focused on his work. Depp, however, prefers that the public doesn’t call this a “comeback,” as he says that he “didn’t go anywhere.”

Celebrity couples have a way of capturing the public's attention, just look at A-list pairs like Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce or Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds. But the downside to this is there's a huge audience when things go bad, such as Johnny Depp and Blake Lively's break-up and long legal battle. And Depp’s lawyer admits they were worried he might "lose his temper" during the trial.

The verdict in the Depp/Heard case largely put the Pirates of the Caribbean actor on top, although he was also found guilty on a charge of defamation. Information about his legal team's strategies are being revealed in the A&E special called Interrogation Raw: Celebrity Under Oath, where lawyer Benjamin Chew admitted to concerns about putting Depp on the stand. In his words:

This is likely a sentiment that's been shared by countless attorneys over the years. But with the high stakes and accusations of abuse made by Amber Heard, keeping Depp calm and collected was likely doubly important. And losing his temper could potentially change the way the jury perceived the 61 year-old actor.

Both Depp and Heard took the stand during their trial, for entire days at a time. And during this time, it was the other team's job to try and poke holes in their stories. In the same special, Chew spoke about how the actor performed while on the stand. In his words:

This sentiment might be correct, given how the verdict ultimately shook out in his favor. Although as previously stated, he was also found guilty on one count, so it wasn't a total victory.

Since then, both Heard and Depp have been living out of the country, presumably in hopes of stepping away from the public eye. Fans keep waiting for the Edward Scissorhands actor to return to Hollywood, with some hoping he'll join another Pirates of the Caribbean movie. For now, check the 2025 movie release dates.

Surprises aren’t limited to the world of 2024 movies around here, as reality has its own curveballs to throw. One of the latest examples of that practice at work is the recent news that actor Amber Heard is confirmed to be pregnant with her second child. Once news of this blessed event broke to the world, a rep for the Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom alum gave some further details, as well as a caveat that stipulates the need for patience in those following the story.

With People reporting on this literally still developing story, word came from a spokesperson connected to the star herself. Here’s what was told to the press:

Amber Heard fans are probably used to these sorts of surprises at this point, as the birth of Heard’s first child, Oonagh Paige, was announced as a bit of a twist before she went off to shoot 2023’s Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. This in itself was a lovely coincidence, as her character Mera was revealed to have given birth to a son with Jason Momoa’s DC superhero.

This year has certainly been a milder one for Ms. Heard, or at least it is when compared to her protracted legal battle with her ex-husband Johnny Depp. As we’ve seen in Amber Heard’s birthday celebration from earlier this year, she’s both taking time to care for herself, while being mindful of the fans who support her. That only adds further importance to this happy news being brought to the forefront.

As we saw with Heard thanking her Aquaman fans, she knows how to engage those who follow her life journey happily. Her 2023 move to Spain has certainly been a welcomed development as well, especially given that the report of her second pregnancy also cites sources that have noted how happy she seems to be in those surroundings.

Now, with a second child on the way, that happiness stands to grow. But of course, we have to keep in mind that, as Ms. Heard’s rep previously told us, it’s still pretty early in the game.

For those who are now looking to see Ms. Heard in a more maternal light, you can stream Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, which is currently available with access to a Max subscription.

We here at CinemaBlend would like to wish Amber Heard and Oonagh Paige nothing but the best in these early days of this pregnancy. And as we learn more about baby no. 2 we'll keep you updated.

While many of us grow up wishing to be famous, there's a definite downside to that level of notoriety, especially when one's personal struggles become a public matter. Johnny Depp and Amber Heard know this all too well, as their battle in court was televised and made countless headlines. And Depp seemingly alluded to the brouhaha of his court case with Heard in a new interview, saying "I've been through a number of things."

After months of news coverage and reports from inside the courthouse, a verdict was given for Depp and Heard's defamation trial in September of 2022. Since then the Edward Scissorhands actor has been keeping a low profile, although Depp's comeback is seemingly upon us. The 61 year-old actor recently promoted his new movie Modi at a press conference (via THR), where he seemingly addressed the controversy. In his words:

There you have it. It sounds like Depp has a fairly good attitude about his past, including the drama with Heard that became so ingrained in the pop culture lexicon that Starbucks tip jars offered customers a chance to take a side. But everyone has struggles in their lives, and his comments seem to indicate that art can be created out of it.

The timing of this statement is no accident, as Depp directed Modi, his first directorial project in over two decades. While the Pirates of the Caribbean icon hasn't signed on for any big Hollywood projects since the defamation trial, he's been getting involved in film in other ways. That includes directing Modi, as well as starring in his first post-trial movie, Jeanne du Barry.

It remains to be seen how easily, if at all, Depp is able to return to the Hollywood scene in a significant way. There are definitely fans out there who are closely monitoring Johnny Depp's upcoming movies, and want to see him back in the mainstream space. Case in point: a fan petition for Depp to return to the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise as Captain Jack Sparrow.

We'll have to see if Johnny Depp an Amber Heard are able to get out of the shadow of their legal battle. Both actors made sobering allegations of abuse against the other, remaining synonymous with the defamation case as a result.

Modi - Three Days on the Wings of Madness will be released in Italy on December 5th, but it's unclear when it's coming to the states. For now, check the 2025 movie release dates.

Actor Jason Momoa became a household name thanks to playing Khal Drogo in Game of Thrones (which is streaming with a Max subscription) and has been the internet's boyfriend in the years since. But lately there's been some chatter about his behavior on set. Rumors about Momoa on Minecraft are running around, and this isn't the first time the actor has dealt with allegations from a movie set.

What one Minecraft cast member said bout Jason Momoa.

What we know about the Minecraft movie is limited, but it looks like a fun live-action take on the beloved video game franchise. Jason Momoa is a major box office draw, but reports about him on the movie' set are painting a new picture for the public. While doing the Hot Ones challenge with Jason Ween, YouTuber Valkyrae claimed to have seen some toxic behavior firsthand as a member of the Minecraft cast. As she put it:

There you have it. While Valkyrae admits she only had a small role in the Minecraft movie, she's claiming to have observed some not-so-great behavior by Jason Momoa while working on the video game movie. And this isn't the first time that some allegations have been made about the Aquaman icon. We'll just have to wait and see if anyone from the actor's team response to this allegation.

This is just one person's recollection of how Jason Momoa was on the set of Minecraft, and definitely stands in juxtaposition to his public persona. Fans have spent years adoring the actor, including his friendship with Lenny Kravitz.

Rumors about Jason Momoa's Aquaman behavior

While Momoa is mostly known as a beloved and goofy character in Hollywood, there have been a few negative reports about him over the years. Prior to this new claim about the upcoming video game movie Minecraft, there were also claims about what went down during the filming of Aquaman 2. The report indicated that he was drunk on set, and tried to get Amber Heard fired. They also claimed he was dressing up as Johnny Depp to try and aggravate his co-star.

While this could seemingly show a pattern of bad behavior, DC reps refuted the stories about Momoa, with a statement that read:

This is a cut and dry statement from the studio, and came after he had already wrapped production on Aquaman 2. So perhaps the stories about Momoa are merely an exaggeration. Or alternatively the truth is somewhere in the middle of Momoa's perception and the truth of the situation. We'll just have to see what comes next, and if/how the Minecraft movie will be impacted by the discourse.

A Minecraft Movie is expected to hit theaters on April 4th. For now, check the 2025 movie release dates.

Whether you saw the highly publicized Depp/Heard trial live on television or the courtroom docuseries Depp V. Heard on your Netflix subscription, it was bound to happen that a dramatization film about the real-life trial would follow. Tubi members got the chance to relive the scandalous trial in a free streaming flick Hot Take: The Depp/Heard Trial where Megan Davis and Mark Hapka played the famed ex-couple. Davis revealed that after she signed on to play Heard in the biopic, she faced “a wave of so much hate” which sounds so gnarly.

The Depp/Heard Trial was the center of the news in 2022 when a court case took place surrounding Amber Heard’s Washington Post op-ed about domestic abuse allegations. A verdict was announced with Johnny Depp awarded $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages.

It’s been nearly a couple of years since Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s trial was made into a streaming movie, but its stars haven’t forgotten signing onto the film. Actress Megan Davis, who's had roles in shows like American Horror Story and 2 Broke Girls, spoke candidly to Page Six about overcoming “so much hate” by fans who felt she wasn’t right for the part:

That sounds like a terrible thing to go through when you’re just doing your job as an actress. Megan Davis had a feeling there was going to be backlash, admitting that she was skeptical about taking on the role at first. After all, social media influence came down hard on Amber Heard when the trial was ongoing. It proves that you can never be prepared for any potential backlash.

It wasn’t until Megan Davis auditioned for Hot Take that she watched extensive coverage of the Depp V. Heard Trial. Through her research about Amber Heard, she made it her mission to “humanize” the Pineapple Express actress as best as she could:

Megan Davis continued to say that while she knew that the trial’s two A-list celebrities weren’t “perfect” people, she found it “frustrating” that public support was in favor of Johnny Depp more so than Amber Heard. Through studying courtroom clips and argument recordings to prepare for the role of the American actress, Davis gained newfound empathy for her.

There may have been early backlash for the casting of Hot Take. But, Megan Davis felt that all it took was for the streaming film to premiere for the negativity to fade away:

The backlash that Megan Davis received playing Amber Heard may have been gnarly going through “a wave of so much hate.” However, it looks like the Los Angeles resident is in a better place now since taking on the controversial role and is moving on to different projects like her recent poetry book release “What Breaks Us” and her self-written/produced short film Hemorrhage. You can watch Davis play Heard in Hot Take: The Depp/Heard Trial streaming now on Tubi.

As Johnny Depp and Amber Heard fought it out in court, attention on them grew, and through that, their lawyers became quite well known. Specifically, Depp’s attorney Camille Vasquez became quite famous because of the trial. Now, she’s squaring off against Amber Heard’s ex-lawyer in Danny Elfman’s public denial of sexual misconduct defamation case, which is big news considering how highly publicized the Depp vs. Heard case was in 2022.

For context, Danny Elfman’s former protégé, Nomi Abadi filed a defamation lawsuit against him. This is because of statements that came out of a Rolling Stone article last year regarding a settlement he made with her after she accused him of sexual misconduct and harassment, Variety reported.

Camille Vasquez is representing Danny Elfman – the composer known for working Wednesday, The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Simpsons, and lots of Tim Burton’s movies – in this case.

This is coming about a year after she won the defamation trial with Depp between him and Heard, which rewarded the Pirates of the Caribbean actor $10 million in compensatory damage and $5 million in punitive damage. Notably, Heard was also awarded $2 million in compensatory damage.

Meanwhile, Eric George is representing Nomi Abadi in this case, and he filed the lawsuit for her. He represented Amber Heard during the early days of the legal battle with Depp before the trial began. This lawyer, per NBC News, testified in the Heard vs. Depp case, noting that the actress followed his legal advice “to avoid any lawsuits from a 2018 op-ed she penned for the Washington Post."

The lawsuit against Elfman was filed on Wednesday, July 10, in Los Angeles. Abadi’s suit alleges that the composer “peddled appalling lies for publication to Rolling Stone” about her. He maintains that he didn't engage in sexual misconduct, didn’t masturbate in front of her, and he never allegedly “touched her inappropriately and "never placed his bodily fluids in a martini glass he presented to Nomi," as alleged.

Of the claims noted in the lawsuit, one that has caught many’s attention is the one that alleges that “Elfman’s reps falsely denied that he put his semen in a martini glass and falsely claimed that Abadi knew that it was not semen.” In the Rolling Stone story, it’s claimed that Cetaphil was in the glass and that she knew it was “a stupid photo prop.”

Abadi’s team also slammed Elfman as they believed his claims made her look like “a scorned woman seeking revenge and money.” They also denounced the notion that she “invited Elfman’s misconduct, including by requesting that he take nude pictures of her.”

All of this, and more, has led to this defamation lawsuit, as they believe “Nomi’s career ambitions [were left] in tatters.” It also marks the second suit Abadi has filed against Elfman.

There’s also another accusation against Elfman from Jane Doe XX, which states that the composer allegedly “exposed himself to her frequently” during meetings they had between 1997 and 2002. According to his lawyer, these claims are “baseless and absurd.”

This stands to be a high-profile case, so, it’s not surprising that high-profile lawyers were hired by the two parties involved. As we learn more about major developments regarding this suit, we’ll keep you posted.

Two years after the explosive courtroom battle between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, their legal teams remain divided on the impact of allowing cameras into the trial. The highly publicized defamation case, which reached a verdict in 2022 in Fairfax, Virginia, continues to leave lasting impressions on both sides and the court of public opinion.

The six-week trial saw the jury largely side with Depp, finding Heard liable for defamation in her Washington Post op-ed about surviving abuse. Though Heard didn’t mention Depp by name, the implications were unmistakable. Heard won one of her three counterclaims, resulting in an initial award of over $10 million in damages to Depp and $2 million to Heard. By the end of 2022, the two reached a settlement, with Heard paying Depp $1 million, which he donated to five different charities.

People recently caught up with Camille Vasquez, Depp’s attorney, and Elaine Charlson Bredehoft, Heard’s attorney, to reflect on the trial’s outcome and the media’s role. Vasquez emphasized the significance of winning in both the court of law and public opinion. In her words:

Bredehoft, however, remains critical of the decision to allow cameras in the courtroom. She argued that it was a “huge mistake” that led to social media users distorting the trial’s proceedings. She said:

According to Heard’s former attorney, they “fought hard” against having cameras present and now hope that future cases of a similar nature will avoid this pitfall.

Vasquez acknowledged the viral memes and online content that emerged from the trial but defended the transparency cameras provided. She added:

Vasquez told the publication that she believes public opinion was shaped by the credibility of the individuals involved and the evidence presented, not by social media manipulation. According to her, Depp’s decision to push for cameras was rooted in a desire for transparency and to connect with his fans.

Bredehoft said she holds a firm stance against cameras in cases involving sexual assault or domestic violence, hoping the trial serves as a lesson to avoid repeating such mistakes. Heard, in a statement following the verdict, expressed her disappointment, calling the outcome a setback for women who speak out against abuse. Conversely, Depp voiced hope that his pursuit of truth would help others in similar situations.

Both lawyers have maintained relationships with their clients post-trial. Vasquez and her team, including Benjamin Chew, stay connected with Depp through their group chat, “The Black Pearl.” Bredehoft and her daughter, who served as a paralegal during the trial, still communicate with Heard.

Reflecting on the trial’s societal impact, Vasquez believes it underscored the importance of due process. She added:

Bredehoft, however, hopes for a future reevaluation of the case in which society acknowledges its mistakes and extends support to Heard.

Depp, now 60, continues his creative comeback with his first post-trial movie, Jeanne du Barry, finally coming to the States. He is reportedly considering the prospects of returning to Hollywood in larger films and focusing on directing. 

On the other hand, Heard is living a quieter life in Spain with her daughter. She appeared in an indie thriller and the Aquaman sequel filmed before the trial. The Drive Angry alum also made a rare public appearance recently to celebrate her birthday.

Vasquez expressed well wishes for both her former client and Heard. She concluded:

As the dust continues to settle, only time will reveal how the trial's impact will shape the legal and public perceptions of both parties. Even two years later, the Depp vs. Heard case remains a topic of conversation.

We'll be sure to keep you posted if more information like this comes out, in the meantime, check out the 2024 movie release dates.  

Johnny Depp has enjoyed a long and wildly successful career as a character actor, with numerous beloved film credits to his name. However, he has more recently been closely associated with his tumultuous relationship with Amber Heard and their prolonged legal battle in recent years. The Edward Scissorhands star has openly admitted that he feels "cut off" from the world due to his celebrity status. After navigating the stormy seas of the courtroom drama, the Pirates of the Caribbean icon is reportedly taking a more cautious route when it comes to matters of the heart, as "lessons have been learned."

Insiders close to the actor have alleged to OK! Magazine that the 60-year-old actor isn’t actively seeking to jump back into the dating pool. According to the source, the Secret Window actor avoids being set up on dates. The source close to the situation added:

Following the highly publicized defamation verdict in the Amber Heard lawsuit, the Alice in Wonderland alum is reportedly too focused on his current projects and personal pursuits to concentrate on dating. Another insider told the outlet, "He’s too busy to be dating," and added, "However, he's in a really good headspace, and there is a lot he’s excited about at the moment." Said claims might instill hope within fans when it comes to the Ed Wood actor's professional future, especially when it comes to those hopeful Captain Jack Sparrow return reports. 

A significant part of Johnny Depp’s improved outlook allegedly comes from surrounding himself with a solid team. The second source explained:

His career and personal life saw a decline when Amber Heard accused him of physical and verbal abuse that allegedly took place during their marriage. The legal showdown culminated in a defamation trial in 2022, where both were found liable for certain instances of defamation. Heard was ordered to pay $10.3 million in damages, while Johnny Depp was required to pay $2 million. Since then, Heard has relocated to Spain with her daughter, Oonagh Paige, while the Fantastic Beasts star has settled in London.

The Oscar nominee has reportedly been in high spirits lately. The second source highlighted the actor's newfound focus on health and well-being, saying: 

Following his legal troubles, Johnny Depp has been seemingly focusing on unique and creative projects. He landed his first movie since the trial, the French film Jeanne du Barry, has recently been released in the United States. Additionally, Depp stepped behind the camera to direct an upcoming film featuring Robert De Niro. Despite these ventures, his fans have been eagerly hoping to see him return to mainstream Hollywood projects, particularly a new Pirates of the Caribbean movie, which has been teased for some time now. 

Time will tell what lies ahead for him career-wise but, right now, it sounds like Johnny Depp is taking it easy when it comes to his love life and more. While you wait for updates on both fronts, check out the 2024 movie release dates to plan your next trip to the cinema. 

This fall will mark two years since a verdict was announced regarding Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s defamation case after a grueling two months in court. Both actors have since been attempting to move forward with their lives and put their very public trial behind them. While Heard has been greatly off the grid since Depp largely came out the victor in the case, she did just come out of the woodwork to celebrate her birthday on social media.

Since the trial, Amber Heard hasn’t been very active on social media. Following the events of the case, she did post one other time in January to thank fans for their support with the Aquaman sequel. Her latest Instagram post comes as the actress celebrated turning 38. Check it:

Heard took to social media to post a single photo of her in a sparkly gold turtleneck drinking champagne with a myriad of wine bottles in the background on a shelf. She simply wrote “Champagne kind of birthday” on Tuesday, which comes just one day after her official birthday, which was on Monday, April 22.

As one might expect following the media frenzy of her trial with Johnny Depp, the actor turned off the comment function on the Instagram post. Amber Heard continues to have over five million followers on the social media platform, and she’s updating them about her celebratory spirit on her special day!

Following the trial, Amber Heard has reportedly moved to a more quiet life in Spain where she is raising her three-year-old daughter Oonaugh Paige with more privacy at her disposal. Her and Oonaugh both share April birthdays, with her daughter recently graduating out of the terrible twos on April 8. Following the trial, Heard did return to movies with her “magical” experience working on In The Fire, which came out in the summer of 2023.

Heard was also one of the stars of Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom alongside Jason Momoa, Dolph Lundgren and Patrick Wilson. Following the DC movie made $434 million at the box office, it has become available to stream with a Max subscription.

Johnny Depp, on the other hand, is set to return to the big screen this spring with Jeanne Du Barry after previously premiering at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. The movie is playing now in the UK and Ireland, and is set to hit U.S. theaters on May 2 before going to Netflix later on. Depp took to Instagram himself last week to share that he’s “endlessly grateful” for his Jeanne Du Barry writer, director and costar Maïwenn for choosing him to play the King of France in the historical drama.

Happy Birthday to Amber Heard!

Spoilers ahead for Aquaman 2.

The DCEU had a wild life in theaters, full of peaks and valleys. It all ended with Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, which struggled at the box office upon its release in December. James Wan's long-awaited sequel made some bold narrative swings, including a greater focus on Patrick Wilson's Orm. This seemingly came at the expense of Mera, who had a small role. Aquaman 2’s Dolph Lundgren recently mentioned Heard while lamenting about the movie's theatrical cut. 

The cast of Aquaman 2 was stacked, and included a number of returning faces from the original movie. While an online petition for Heard to be removed from the movie, she still appeared... kinda. While Wan maintained that was always his plan for the movie's story, Dolph Lundgren's comments to ComicBook seem to put that timeline in doubt. As he shared: 

There you have it. It sounds like he's got some guilt about how Aquaman 2 went down, specifically related to his and Amber Heard's roles as Nereus and Mera respectively. Per this comment, it seems like there was a concerted effort to put the latter character to the side in this blockbuster. We'll have to see if the studio or filmmaker respond to this ongoing discourse.

Lundgren's comments about Amber Heard are sure to circulate online, especially for those of us who spent years watching the DC movies in order. Prior to its release, there was a ton of chatter about Aquaman 2, specifically related to the Mera actress. This is likely due to Heard and Johnny Depp's legal battle, which was messy and had an affect on both actors' careers. 

In the first Aquaman movie (which is available with a Max subscription), features Mera as one of the biggest roles, with Amber Heard and Jason Momoa going on an adventure through land and sea. But in the sequel Amber Heard's Mera is injured early on, and has very limited screentime. 

Since there's a new DC shared universe being formed, it seems unlikely that we'll ever see Mera in an upcoming DC movie. For her part, Heard thanked fans for their support upon the movie's release.

The DCU will start with Superman: Legacy on July 11th, 2025. In the meantime, check out the 2024 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

After years of delays, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom finally swam into theaters in December 2023, marking the end of the DC Extended Universe. A sequel to the Jason Momoa-led 2018, it centered mostly around the relationship between the titular hero and his villainous brother, Orm, a.k.a. Ocean Master and their efforts to defeat Black Manta. Those who followed the flick’s production, however, probably know that it went through reshoots, which resulted in some story changes. Dolph Lundgren and Amber Heard were among those whose roles were reportedly cut down as a result of the shifts, and the former shared some thoughts on that. 

Dolph Lundgren played (the formerly antagonistic) King Nereus in the Aquaman duology. While his role in the first installment was fairly significant, his presence in The Lost Kingdom was somewhat diminished. The 66-year-old actor recently spoke about how the superhero film ultimately shook out while promoting his latest film, Wanted Man. As the star explained, he personally enjoyed an earlier iteration of the swashbuckling blockbuster: 

In the movie, Nereus aids Arthur Curry in his attempt to take down the corrupted Black Manta and thwart his environmental-based machinations. He’s not unimportant to the story, but he does mostly sit on the sidelines this time around. Dolph Lundgren, during his interview with UPI, also shared his view on the challenges of reshooting significant portions of a movie. He also provided a summation of his feelings over his role in the production being cut down: 

He does make a fair point, in that reshooting portions of a feature film can be tricky, if you’re aiming to produce a cohesive piece of work. The results aren’t always negative, though, as additional photography can be invaluable at times. In the case of The Lost Kingdom, it would seem that there was a lot of work done. In July 2023, Orm actor Patrick Wilson seemingly confirmed reshoots had taken place around that time. Within a few days of that news hitting the web, it was also reported that Ben Affleck’s Batman would not appear as planned. 

While not much was made of Dolph Lundgren’s role in the leadup to the movie, there was a considerable amount of speculation swirling around Amber Heard. It was Heard herself who confirmed during her testimony amid her defamation case with ex-husband Johnny Depp that Mera – the character she plays – had been relatively cut out of the new script. However, director James Wan stated that Mera was always set to play a smaller role this time around. 

Neither Dolph Lundgren nor Amber Heard are likely to reprise their roles in upcoming DC movies due to the end of the DCEU and the imminent rise of the DCU. Some may continue to wonder how their characters may have figured in before rewrites and reshoots, but most are likely looking to the future at this point. And, while he’s apparently “disappointed” with how everything panned out, it seems Lundgren is simply going to move on as well. 

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is still playing in theaters. You can also stream the first movie using a Max subscription and, with that membership, you can also watch the DC movies in order.

The DCEU had a wild life in theaters, which has come to an end thanks to co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran who are forming a new shared universe. The final chapter is James Wan's Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, which has struggled at the box office. Actress Amber Heard reprised her role as Mera, and recently thanked her fans for support after the DC flick was released.

When Aquaman 2 was still an upcoming DC movie, there was a ton of chatter about Amber Heard's role. In fact, an online petition for Heard to be removed got million of signatures. But she did appear, albeit in a smaller role. Heard posted on Instagram thanking fans for their support during this time, check it out below:

There you have it. With Aquaman 2 now in theaters for over a week, Amber Heard took some time to thank her fans for their support. Because while the 37 year-old actress dealt with some haters related to her role, she also had supporters who were thrilled to see her back as Mera for one more project. 

Heard shared this message with her 5.3 million followers on Instagram. She turned off the comments, which makes sense given the amount of online hate that been throwing at her since Heard's legal battle with Johnny Depp. And as previously mentioned, there's been a petition to have Amber Heard removed from Aquaman 2, seemingly inspired by Depp's firing as Grindelwald in Fantastic Beasts 3. 

But this petition was unsuccessful, and she was part of Aquaman 2's cast list. Although Amber Heard's role was ultimately reduced when compared to the original, she was able to play Mera again-- presumably for the last time. 

While Mera had a small role in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, James Wan revealed that was always his plan, rather than being in response to the online hate for the actress. And while Heard was noticeably absent from Aquaman 2's trailers, she did get to finish off her run as Mera.

Those of us who spent years watching the DC movies in order will recall that Amber Heard first debuted as Mera in Justice League (both versions). She'd go on to star in the first Aquaman, and Heard also participated in Snyder Cut reshoots to bring the new Knightmare sequence to life. And now it seems her time as the DC heroine has come to an end. 

Unfortunately, that final installment failed to have the same success as the original Aquaman movie. CinemaBlend's Aquaman 2 review found it somewhat disappointing, and it didn't perform at the box office. We'll just have to see what comes next with the new DCU, and if any familiar faces pop up. 

The next DC movie hitting theaters is Superman: Legacy on July 11th, 2025. In the meantime, check out the 2024 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

Warning: SPOILERS for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom are ahead! If you haven’t seen one of the final 2023 movie releases yet, feel free to read our non-spoilery Aquaman 2 review first if you’d rather not delve into specific story beats just yet.

When Jason Momoa’s Arthur Curry made his full DC Extended Universe debut in 2017’s Justice League following his cameo in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, audiences were also briefly introduced to Amber Heard’s Mera, the Xebellian princess who tried to protect Atlantis’ Mother Box from being taken by Steppenwolf. By 2018, Heard joined Momoa in the spotlight for Aquaman, which went on to become DC’s highest-grossing movie. And yet, as Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom was being put together, those following along with updates on its progress learned something important: Heard would have a lot less screen time in the sequel.

Director James Wan shared that it was always the plan for Mera to have a reduced role in The Lost Kingdom, as he wanted to focus on Arthur and his brother Orm, played by Patrick Wilson, teaming up. Well, the last of 2023’s DC movies in order is finally here, and just as Heard confirmed during the Depp v. Heard trial, we don’t spend nearly as much time with Amber Heard’s character in the sequel. That said, she does manage to play an important part during a specific chunk of the movie, so let’s go over what her involvement in The Lost Kingdom entailed.

How Much Is Mera In Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom

It was once alleged that Amber Heard has less than 10 minutes of screen time in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, and although I wasn’t keeping time while watching this 2023 movie release, it was actually more like 15-20 minutes, per Business Insider. We first see Mera in a montage going over what’s happened in Arthur Curry’s life in the four years following the events of Aquaman. This includes her being by his side as he’s carried out his kingly duties for Atlantis and parenting their son Arthur Jr., whom we seeing being born on the shore right outside Thomas Curry’s lighthouse. Side note, there is an amusing moment when Arthur and Mera are looking after little Arthur, and while the former is trying to dodge the baby’s urine stream, the latter uses her water-manipulating ability to redirect it in his face. 

However, Mera is badly injured when Black Manta and his private army attack Atlantis using the ancient vehicles they found in the ruins of Necrus in Antarctica, resulting in her being bedridden in order to heal. It’s not until the movie’s climax that she finally resurfaces (no pun intended). We’ll talk more in the next section about her role in this portion of The Lost Kingdom, but overall, Mera’s absence during the majority of the main story is definitely felt. Also, Mera only has roughly 11 speaking lines in Aquaman 2, most of which are short statements or exclamations. Even Topo the octopus gets more to do in The Lost Kingdom than Mera, although given his history as an animal sidekick, I was cool with his expanded role.

Why Mera Is Still Important To Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom

Despite her limited screen time, there is one specific moment when Mera gets to shine in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. As Arthur Curry is fighting the Kordax-possessed Black Manta in Necrus, he gets trapped underneath a massive pile of rubble, but a recovered Mera arrives at the scene and uses her aquakinesis to free her husband. She tries to rescue Arthur Jr. and get him away from the fight, but they’re nearly killed by Manta and only survive thanks to Orm catching the Black Trident. Later on, Mera expresses gratitude for Stephen Shin trying to get her son away from Manta by giving him a kiss on the cheek, and she and Arthur also agree to tell the rest of Atlantis that Orm died so that he can go free.

So while Mera’s role in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is certainly much larger than a cameo, it’s a far cry from what she was given to do in the first Aquaman movie. While it was cool to see her last-minute save, it feels as though her only purpose in the sequel was to give birth to Arthur Jr. and get injured so that Arthur would have extra incentive to hunt down Black Manta. For all intents and purposes, she was relegated to the sidelines and barely displays any personality. While I understand that James Wan wanted to highlight the dysfunctional brotherly dynamic between Arthur and Orm this time around, it’s still a shame Heard wasn’t given more to do.

Although Wan expressed interest in making Aquaman 3, such a project no longer seems to be in the cards. Even ignoring how Aquaman 2 had an underwhelming opening weekend at the box office, this was the final DCEU entry, as the DC Universe Chapter One slate will launch a new shared continuity that only retains a few DCEU actors playing their same roles. So this will likely be the last time we see Amber Heard playing Mera. The same goes for Jason Momoa as Arthur Curry, although there’s still the possibility that he could move over to playing Lobo in the DCU. Still, as far as Heard goes, she was able to play Mera in the two cuts of Justice League (with Zack Snyder’s Justice League including additional scenes of her in the Knightmare future) and two Aquaman movies. Four appearances is nothing to sniff at, as a lot of actors only get one bite at the proverbial apple in the superhero genre.

Revisit Amber Heard’s previous DCEU appearances with your Max subscription, and keep a lookout for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’s arrival on that same streaming platform sometime in the coming year. And as always, stay tuned to CinemaBlend for major news concerning both upcoming DC movies and upcoming DC TV shows. For all your non-DC-related cinematic inquiries, consult our 2024 movies schedule.

The DCEU has had plenty of twists and turns since Zack Snyder started it all with Man of Steel, Batman v Superman, and Justice League. The latter project introduced a ton of characters that were meant to have a larger role in the shared universe. That includes Amber Heard, who debuted as Mera before Aquaman. That actress has been the subject of some backlash, and Snyder recently got honest about Heard and whether he’d work with her again. Let’s break it all down.

Amber Heard’s defamation trial against Johnny Depp made countless headlines in 2022, with the 37 year-old actress getting a ton of online hate as a result. She’s still set to appear in Aquaman 2, although there was a popular online petition for Heard to be removed. Zack Snyder reunited with her on Snyer Cut reshoots, and spoke to THR about his feelings about the Rum Diary actress. As he put it:

There you have it. Despite the chatter online, it looks like Syder doesn’t quite understand why there’s so much hate out there for Heard. What’s more, he’d be happy to work with her again in the future. Could this mean she ends up in a Rebel Moon sequel? Only time will tell.

Zack Snyder’s comments stand in stark juxtaposition to the sentiments online about the Aquaman star. As previously mentioned, he once again collaborated with Amber Heard on Snyder Cut reshoots, bringing together the new Knightmare sequence in the process. And he seemingly doesn’t understand why she gets so much flak from the public.

There has been a ton of chatter about Amber Heard over the last few years, related to both her legal battle with Johnny Depp and ongoing role in the DCEU. Despite the online petition, she’s set to appear in Aquaman 2, although Heard is expected to have a smaller role. Both she and Depp have been working on their professional comebacks, with Heard recently debuting her first-postrial movie.

While Snyder doesn’t seem to understand the hate surrounding Heard, it’s largely related to what went down with her legal battle against Johnny Depp. The public could watch the Depp/Heard trial on TV, resulting in the court of public opinion also making its own judgment. They both made harrowing allegations of abuse against the other, although the Aquaman actress’ testimony was made into countless memes during that time. 

Heard will be seen in Aquaman 2 when it hits theaters December 20th. Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon will arrive December 15th. In the meantime, check out the 2024 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

The superhero genre continues to be super popular, and is showing no signs of slowing down. The next upcoming DC movie hitting theaters is James Wan's Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, which is expected to be the final chapter of the DCEU as we know it. The movie has been a long time coming, and of course fans have thoughts after Amber Heard's Mera was missing from the latest Aquaman 2 trailer. 

Aquaman 2 has been delayed a number of times, and it's finally almost upon us. One way it's been consistently making headlines is Amber Heard's role as Mera, which has been rumored to be quite small. After she was once again missing from the newest trailer, folks started sounding off online. As a reminder, you can check out the new trailer below:

While Mera had a blink-and-you'll-miss-it appearance in the first Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom trailer, the studios really hasn't shown us any more. In fact, casual moviegoers would seemingly have no idea that Jason Momoa's hero is even married. One fan pointed this out via a Twitter post, which reads:

Some points were made. While there's been no confirmation, Amber Heard and Johnny Depp's long legal battle seemingly had an influence on the marketing team's decision not to include her in the trailers. The internet took sides related to their defamation case, with Depp's defender organizing a wildly popular petition to get Heard removed from Aquaman 2. That's not happening, but it seemingly worked for the trailers. One twitter user who seems to be on the actress' side offered the potential downside to this marketing strategy, offering: 

Part of the reason why folks took sides about Depp and Heard's trial was because it was available to watch on TV. But as the above person pointed out, the folks who signed the petition about Heard are probably boycotting the movie anyway. So why not feature Mera footage for those who want to see her return to the DCEU?

Still, the discourse rages on, and there are some folks who aren't surprised that Aquaman 2's trailer would be edited around Amber Heard. As one such person posted:

While Heard wasn't fired or removed from Aquaman 2, Mera reportedly has a much smaller role this time around. Instead the movie is much more focused on Arthur's relationship with  his brother Orm aka Oceanmaster. Still, the fact that Aquaman's wife hasn't been show at all is giving folks reason to pause. 

Jason Momoa leads the cast of Aquaman 2, but the supporting characters (including Mera) are played by some A-list talent. That includes Nicole Kidman's Queen Atlanna, who also hasn't gotten a ton of love in the trailers. Another moviegoer criticized how the women of the franchise have been pushed to the side of marketing, saying:

Some points were made, but only time will tell how the female characters are actually treated in the DC flick. What we know about Aquaman 2 is fairly limited, but it looks like Black Manta is out for some serious revenge. We'll just have to see how it all shakes out, especially since it's the last installment of the DCEU as we know it.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom will finally hit theaters on December 20th. In the meantime, check out the 2024 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

The first Aquaman made over $1 billion at the global box office, making it the biggest hit of the modern DC film universe. One might expect that fans would be looking forward to the sequel with anticipation, and but that hasn’t necessarily been the case. Numerous delays, controversy surrounding the role (or lack thereof) of Amber Heard, the fact that the movie comes at the tail end of the current DC universe before a reboot, and simply a less-than-stellar buzz have all combined to create a movie surrounded by negativity. Director James Wan is aware of what’s being said, but he’s not worrying about it much.

The sequel to Aquaman was given the green light quickly after the first movie became a massive hit, but it’s now been five years since that movie came out. James Wan tells Empire (via The Direct) that he’s been working on the film for nearly that entire time, and while he’s simply happy to have the movie coming out, he does call it the “noisiest” movie he’s ever been part of. Wan said… 

A lot of the “noise” surrounded the role of Amber Heard in the sequel. There was a concerted effort by some who took the side of Johnny Depp in the dueling defamation lawsuits that wanted to see Heard removed entirely from the film. Petitions were started that argued for exactly that. Heard’s role has reportedly been significantly reduced compared to the first movie, but Wan claims that was due to the story he wanted to tell and did not have anything to do with Heard herself.

Beyond Heard, however, there seems to be a general negative buzz around Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. Perhaps because a lot of people know that the current DC Universe is coming to an end, there just isn’t the excitement for the movie there might otherwise be. But Wan says that whatever all the negativity for the movie right now might mean, it will all fade away eventually, and the movie itself will still be there. He continued… 

The Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom release date is still a few weeks away, which may in the end just mean more negativity between now and then. But Wan is almost certainly correct that eventually the movie will stand alone and it will be judged on its own merits. 

Thanks to the legal battles between Amber Heard and Johnny Depp, we know a lot more about the behind-the-scenes workings of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom than we do for most movies that are still a couple of months from release. One of the biggest pieces of news was Heard claiming that her role in the sequel actually shrank over time. James Wan has explained his reasoning for Mera’s smaller role previously, but admits that this did result in her role shrinking over time.

Jason Momoa and Amber Heard worked together throughout the first Aquaman movie, but her character Mera is largely absent from the Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom trailer, and reports are her role in the sequel is much smaller. Director James Wan told Empire (via The Direct) that he had a plan from the outset to make romance a major part of the first film, but not the sequel, which is why Heard’s role was paired down as the script went through revisions. The director explained…

During the defamation trials of Depp and Heard it was suggested that there was an issue of chemistry between Momoa and Heard that led to the decision to pair down the role of Hera for the sequel. But according to Wan he was always planning to make a movie that would focus on the characters of Aquaman and Orm, and that meant shrinking the role of Mera to make more room for Patrick Wilson’s Orm. 

Certainly, whatever the reason, it’s understandable that Amber Heard could be frustrated, as it sounds like she filmed more scenes for the Aquaman sequel, that ended up on the cutting room floor. One doesn’t imagine any actor likes to see their work disappear. And considering Heard’s situation at the time, and the fact that there were loud corners of social media calling for her removal from Aquaman 2, it would be impossible not to see a connection.

According to James Wan, however, Amber Heard’s statements were accurate, but the reason for them just wasn’t clear to her. It seems the director had a specific idea to make a buddy comedy-style film and hey, who doesn’t want to see a superhero movie inspired by Tango & Cash? That honestly sounds like a film that could be a lot of fun.

Actress Amber Heard has made countless headlines over the last few years, largely related to her relationship with ex Johnny Depp. Since the verdict of the Depp/Heard defamation case was revealed, both actors have been living in Europe and eventually returning to their craft. For the latter actress, the first project is an upcoming thriller titled In the Fire. And Heard’s director explained why she connected with the role so much.

While there were rumors that Heard was quitting Hollywood/acting, it turns out those weren’t exactly true. She stars as Grace Burnham in In the Fire, a doctor in the 1980s trying to care for an ill boy, whom the community thinks is possessed. Director/writer Conor Allyn spoke to The Messenger about the forthcoming movie and his lead actress. While Heard claimed filming was magical, Allyn pointed out what he saw as a parallel between the project and real life. As he told the outlet:

There you have it. Looks like Conor Allyn saw a connection between the way the public has reacted to Amber Heard with the plot of In the Fire. The film shows a mob mentality forming about a young boy, with the mystery seemingly being whether or not he’s actually possessed. Only time will tell if moviegoers have the same reaction.

As previously mentioned, the public was absolutely transfixed with Heard and Depp’s legal battle as it raged on. With cameras in the courtroom, people watched the trial unfold from their TV, including both Depp and Heard’s grueling testimonies. Eventually the court of public opinion made its own judgment, and the Rum Diary actress was the subject of a ton of backlash online. 

For her part, Heard hasn’t echoed the statements of Allyn regarding her possible connection to In The Fire. Not only was it the first movie filmed after the defamation case, but Heard also attended the movie’s festival premiere, making a rare public appearance in the process. And it should be interesting to see how the public’s ongoing fascination with the actress ultimately affects the new movie’s performance.

In the Fire is in select theaters now. Heard will also return to the silver screen again shortly in Aquaman 2 on December 20th. Be sure to check out the 2023 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

It looks like Amber Heard is starting a new chapter in her life following the defamation verdict of the Depp Vs. Heard trial. Despite insider claims that Heard has “quit Hollywood,” the 37-year-old actress is back and ready to take on the silver screen yet again. Related to her post-trial film In the Fire, Heard shared about what a “magical” experience filming was to her.

One benefit of Amber Heard’s transition into a life in Spain is getting access to European film work. After going through a televised trial against her ex-husband Johnny Depp, she shot in Italy her first post-trial movie In the Fire and attended the world premiere at the Taormina Film Festival back in June. With its theatrical release just a week away, Heard said in a press release what a “magical” experience this filming experience was to her.

Per In the Fire’s behind-the-scenes footage, Amber Heard plays a New York doctor in the 1890s who is sent to a remote village to investigate a child said to be possessed by the devil. During Heard’s interview about the movie, she described her character as a “pioneer” for entering a male-dominated field and how she’ll need to venture into a culture so different from hers to tackle the superstition disturbances occurring in this village. The Rum Diary actress said she enjoyed getting the opportunity to play a complex, strong female character that she’d never seen before when reading a script. I have a feeling this new role will give her a great chance to flex her acting muscles.

Being able to take on the lead of her supernatural thriller must have been such a relief to her after disappointments followed her reduced role in Aquaman 2. A fan-based petition to remove Amber Heard from the Aquaman sequel racked up two million signatures which claims that the actress lied about the accusations she made against Johnny Depp. Aquaman 2’s James Wan’s explanation for Heard’s reduced role was that he always planned for the sequel to focus on a bromance between Arthur and Orm. So, the red-headed Atlantean character was not cut or fired as the allegations said. It was a creative decision that had nothing to do with the trial she was involved in.

Seeing Amber Heard being all smiles on the red carpet of In the Fire's world premiere shows that she’s in a good place with her career and her life right now. It demonstrates that moving to Spain after the trial really was “healthy” for her being away from the public eye and the noise. When Heard broke her silence about quitting Hollywood, she said she still plans on moving forward with her career with film projects lined up. While we know In the Fire will be coming soon, I’m curious what else the Pineapple Express actress has in store for us.

Amber Heard may not have had too many “magical” experiences last year during the defamation trial, but it looks like In the Fire was the film she needed to bounce back her career. You can watch the 2023 movie release in theaters on October 13th.

It’s somewhat hard to believe, but it’s already been over a year since a verdict was reached in Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s defamation trial. The ruling was largely in Depp’s favor, as Heard was found guilty on three counts of defaming her ex-husband. Depp was found liable for one count of defamation though was also awarded millions of dollars in punitive and compensatory damages. The Pirates of the Caribbean actor can credit much of his success in the courtroom to his lawyer, Camille Vasquez, who was a key player in the proceedings. Just recently, Vasquez reflected on the case, specifically discussing the “confidence” she had regarding the chances of her, her colleagues and client being successful.

Camille Vasquez’s life has changed tremendously over the past year, thanks to her high-profile win in court. She’s received a number of major professional opportunities. Though she’s becoming further removed from Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s legal dispute as time passes, Vasquez still finds herself fielding questions about it. She discussed the squabble yet again during an interview with FOX Nation host Nancy Grace, who asked the lawyer if she ever thought the case wouldn’t go her way. Vasquez emphasized just how strongly she felt about her team’s approach and explained why she didn’t have much doubt: 

Ahead of the defamation trial, the 39-year-old attorney wasn’t exactly a novice. The Brown Rudnick associate had participated in a few cases prior to that. However, it’s fair to say the aforementioned battle between Johnny Depp and his ex was the biggest endeavor of her career up to that point. So it’s somewhat interesting to hear that going in, she had so much confidence that she and her team would see a verdict that was largely favorable for them. 

In the aftermath of the case, much was said about what contributed to the verdict. One of the jurors, for example, took part in an interview and discussed the alleged factors that worked against Amber Heard. The person – who remained anonymous – claimed the jury wasn’t swayed by Heard’s “crocodile tears.” While giving their explanation, the person also reasoned that jurors thought the Fantastic Beasts alum’s sentiments were more “believable.” Heard is currently navigating post-trial life and has moved to Spain for a fresh start of sorts.

Camille Vasquez is also seeing major changes as, since the verdict dropped, she’s been on the come-up. She was promoted from associate to partner at her law firm and was even assigned to advise the embattled Kanye West, who she later dropped. Vasquez also parlayed her success into a job with NBC News, though reports alleged she wasn’t fitting in well early on. 

More than one year after the legal proceedings that brought her to prominence, she’s also still kept in contact with Johnny Depp to some extent. Camille Vasquez spoke about the status of their relationship earlier this year and confirmed that while they don’t speak on the phone much, they do text here and there. It seems that at this point, the two will be firmly linked for the foreseeable future due to the defamation case. And based on the frequency by which she receives questions on that matter, one gets the feeling Vasquez will still be fielding questions about it for some time.

The DC Universe is always expanding, and is known for twists on and off camera. A number of upcoming DC movies were filmed before James Gunn and Peter Safran were named co-CEOs, including James Wan's Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. The full trailer just arrived, and of course fans have thoughts about Amber Heard's Mera barely showing up in the first footage. And they're sounding off online.

The full trailer for Aquaman 2 just arrived, and teased another colorful adventure under the sea. While it featured lots of exciting footage, Amber Heard was noticeably missing as Mera. In fact, she only appeared in one brief shot. Folks on Twitter took umbrage with this choice given the importance of Mera as a character on the page and screen. As one person tweeted:

Fair point. Mera was arguably the biggest part in the first Aquaman movie, aside from Jason Momoa's title character. And as such, her being left out of the sequel's marketing is super noticeable. Especially since the trailer featured plenty of moments from other characters like Orm and Nicole Kidman's Atlanta, who is seemingly going to become a much larger character this time around.

Amber Heard's absence from the Aquaman 2 trailer has some fans thinking that Warner Bros. did this due to controversies surrounding the actress. Indeed, a popular online petition to have Heard removed from the DCU has gotten millions of signatures. And she is indeed in the movie, but presumably in a smaller role. Another shared their disappointment in this choice, tweeting:

Mera being such a non entity in the first footage for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is a bold choice, given how she was a major figure in the first movie, while also appearing in other DC projects. She battled against Steppenwolf in both versions of Justice League, and was included in the Snyder Cut's Knightmare sequence. Another fan referenced this when posting about her lack of screen time in the trailer, saying:

The trailer for Aquaman 2 highlighted how much Arthur Curry had changed since we last saw him on the big screen (although he did get a cameo in The Flash's post-credits scene). The narration reveals that Jason Momoa's character is a husband and father now, and has had a lifestyle change. This is made Heard's absence all the more obvious, as Mera is presumably his wife, queen, and mother of his child. As another moviegoer posted:

Indeed, family seems to be at the center of the narrative for Aquaman 2. The villainous Black Manta vows to kill Arthur Curry's family for revenge, even burning down his father's lighthouse home. So shouldn't Mera be included?

All of our questions will be revealed relatively shortly, as Aquaman 2 will hit theaters this December. The movie's trailer has definitely increase discourse surrounding the DC sequel, while there have been rumors about Amber Heard's role for the past year. We'll just have to see if this chatter helps the Jason Momoa sequel perform at the box office.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom will hit theaters on December 20th. In the meantime, check out the 2023 movie release dates to plan your next movie expeience. 

Actor Johnny Depp has had a long career as a character actor, spanning decades of time and countless projects. But over the past few years, he’s been making countless headlines related to his relationship with Amber Heard and their defamation case against each other. The 60 year-old actor’s career is still on the mend, although Depp remains the face of Dior’s Sauvage fragrance. And the Pirates of the Caribbean actor seemingly referenced the Heard situation when speaking about Dior standing by him.

Around the time of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s trial, both actors largely stopped working. While Depp was asked to step down from his role as Grindelwald in Fantastic Beasts, he continued to be the face of Sauvage, with Dior taking some flack at the time. He recently spoke to SCMP about the brand’s continued loyalty, saying:

There you have it. On top of the financial support that Johnny Depp has gotten from Dior, it sounds like he’s also touched with how the brand seemingly never lost faith in him. They supported the Edward Scissorhands actor “through every second” when even the Hollywood system did not. And it doesn’t look like that partnership is slowing down anytime soon.

Case in point: back May Depp signed a whopping $20 million deal with Dior to continue being the face of Sauvage. So we should expect him to remain in the commercials and store advertising for the foreseeable future. This marks a place of normalcy for Johnny Depp, as he still hasn’t gotten involved in a major Hollywood film project. Later in that same interview, he shared about that partnership, saying:

Depp will continue to do ads for Sauvage, although he’s made it clear that Dior means more to him than simply a scent. Meanwhile, the Sweeney Todd star is dipping his toes back into the film industry. Depp’s first post-trial movie recently premiered, but we won’t know when it’ll get a wide theatrical release. He’s also directing Al Pacino in a movie, but hasn’t signed onto a major Hollywood production.

In the meantime, Depp can be seen in ads and marketing for Sauvage. Be sure to check out the 2023 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience.

The DC Universe has had plenty of twists and turns over the years, including leadership changing behind the scenes. While James Gunn and Peter Safran were named new co-CEOs there were a number of upcoming DC movies in the can such as Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. And after After months or rumors about Amber Heard's reduced Aquaman 2 role, director James Wan explained what the plan always was. 

Amber Heard's role in Aquaman 2 has been the subject of much conversation, seemingly due to her long legal battle with Johnny Depp. Rumors swirled about her reduced role, while some fans organized a petition to have Heard removed from the movie. James Wan spoke with EW about his DC sequel, and shared his plans for Mera from the jump. In his words:

Well, there you have it. While there's  been plenty of rumors and discussion about Amber Heard returning to Mera in Aquaman 2, it sounds like the chatter didn't actually influence James Wan. He always knew that the sequel was going to largely focus on Arthur Curry and his brother Orm (Patrick Wilson), rather than his relationship with the red headed Atlantean. 

James Wan's comments help to clarify the situation surrounding Amber Heard and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. Still, there should be plenty more discourse surrounding her forthcoming return to the DCU. She was noticeably absent in Aquaman 2's first teaser, so we'll have to see if she gets featured in the highly anticipated full trailer later this week.

Because Depp and Heard's defamation trial was on TV, the court of public opinion came down hard on the pair of actors. Those on Depp's side may be boycotting Aquaman 2 altogether, after the petition to get her moved failed to move the needle. And since DC has had a number of box office disappointments like Blue Beetle and Shazam 2, the pressure is on. 

It's still unclear exactly how much screentime Amber Heard will have in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, but the story doesn't seem to really be about her. According to rumors, Aquaman 2 will see Mera and Arthur have a child. Is there a new heir to the sea being crowned? Only time will tell. 

Aquaman 2 will finally hit theaters on December 20th. In the meantime, check out the 2023 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. As for Heard's future in the new DCU, only time will tell how things shake out.

It may be hard to believe it, but it’s been almost a full year since a verdict was reached in Amber Heard and Johnny Depp’s defamation case. The pair of actors made countless headlines as they clashed in court, and made serious allegations against each other. But Depp wasn’t the only high profile relationship that’s been surrounding the Aquaman actress, as she also had a notable connection with Elon Musk. Musk’s bombshell biography commented on Heard, and the author calls that period “hellacious” and more. Let’s break it all down.

Musk’s new biography was written by Walter Isaacson, and is appropriately titled Elon Musk. Reviews have started rolling in, and excerpts are already circulating online. The LA Times pulled quotes related to Musk’s relationship with Heard, and they’re sure to quickly go viral. The book alleges that from the summer of 2018 to the fall of 2018 it was a “hellacious” part of his life, which is the period of time he was involved with the 37 year-old actress. The book describes his mental state during this time with:

According to Issacson, this mental state occurred thanks to familial issues, as well as his now infamous relationship with Amber Heard. She had only recently split from Johnny Depp during this time (see a timeline of Heard and Depp’s relationship here). As we know, Musk would end up getting involved in their litigation, and famously challenged Depp to a cage fight.

Later in that book (via the LA Times), writer Walter Isaacson addressed Elon Musk and Amber Heard’s relationship, and made some allegations about how the pair functioned. The biography pulls no punches, and claims that Heard…

Well, there you have it. Assuming that this information is true, it paints a picture of what it was like when Amber Heard and Elon Musk were romantically involved. There have been a number of wild rumors about that time, with Musk even denying a 3-way relationship with Heard and Cara Delevigne. We’ll just have to see if the new biography helps to quell certain rumors or begins new ones entirely. The former couple has continued to make headlines, like when Heard deleted her Twitter when Musk took over.

As previously mentioned, Johnny Depp and Amber Heard absolutely dominated the new cycle when they were facing off in court, partly because the public could watch it all go down on TV. In the end Depp was largely the victor in court, and both actors would go abroad to live their lives with some anonymity. As for Elon Musk, he eventually took over Twitter (aka X) and has been making sweeping changes to the social media outlet.

Amber Heard can be seen in Aquaman 2 on December 20th, and Elon Musk’s biography will hit shelves on September 12th. In the meantime, check out the 2023 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

Johnny Depp is recognized by many as a seasoned character actor, acclaimed for his best roles, such as Edward Scissorhands and Jack Sparrow. However, for a generation, his illustrious career spanning decades has been overshadowed in recent years by the widely discussed legal dispute with Amber Heard. As Depp navigates a slow Hollywood "comeback," Alice Cooper,  arock icon and Depp’s fellow Hollywood Vampires bandmate, candidly shares insights into his collaborative partnership with the Pirates of the Caribbean actor. He specifically sheds light on whether he had any hesitations about working with the embattled star after the defamation lawsuit. 

Alice Cooper, who is 75 years old, shared insights into the dynamic with his famous bandmate while speaking with Vulture about their recent Hollywood Vampires Tour. He disclosed that the highly publicized defamation trial between Johnny and Amber Heard wasn't a primary focus during their tour and that he did not have a moment's hesitations working with the actor again. He also admitted to having made a joke about the situation amid the tour and name-dropped another former couple that's been wrapped up in a legal situation. Cooper told the outlet:

The legendary rockstar candidly discussed his feelings on the televised trial, which unfolded in Virginia and resulted in a verdict that found Heard responsible for defamation. Regarding the trial's impact on their tour, the “Schools Out For Summer” performer mentioned that he couldn't recall any discussions about the court proceedings while they were on the road. He notes: 

Over the summer, Johnny Depp joined the Hollywood Vampires on tour. The band, formed in 2012 by Alice Cooper, Johnny, and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, features the famous eye-liner-wearing Glam Rocker as the frontman and the Black Mass actor on guitar. Cooper has never been one to mince words, and it remains to be seen how his candid and unfiltered comments on the matter will be received. Since the defamation trial's conclusion, Depp has largely focused on his musical pursuits. However, there have been discussions about potential concerns among his bandmates regarding his drinking habits.

The Hollywood Vampires' tour experienced several cancellations, with some allegedly linked to the Alice in Wonderland star. A handful of shows were rescheduled in May due to the Oscar nominee's ankle injury. Likewise, in July, a Budapest performance was called off moments before the band's scheduled appearance, citing the Fantastic Beasts alum's reported illness as the reason. These instances are just a few examples of the recent concert cancellations that have occurred.

It's difficult to say whether fans are equally enthusiastic about embracing Johnny Depp without hesitation, akin to Alice Cooper. Depp has been actively involved in music and a few initial projects following the trial while also choosing his Hollywood endeavors sparingly. His first post-trial movie, Jeanne du Barry, premiered at Cannes earlier this year, and he's set to direct a film produced by Al Pacino. Despite fans' desire to witness Depp's return to the Pirates of the Caribbean series, no confirmation has surfaced regarding such a development. In the interim, consider exploring the schedule of 2023 new movie releases to map out your upcoming cinematic experiences.

It’s almost hard to believe it, but it’s been a year and change since Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s defamation trial played out before our eyes. Both actors have been living abroad in hopes of getting some anonymity, while they begin rebuilding their careers. But their legal battle will once again take center stage with Netflix’s new documentary Depp V. Heard. And the film’s director recently opened up about getting “hate” from fans, and why she didn’t reach out to the titular actors themselves.

Depp V. Heard is streaming now with a Netflix subscription, and is going to be a deep dive on all the twists and turns of the infamous legal battle. The defamation verdict largely came down in Depp’s favor, although both actors were found guilty on at least one charge. Emma Cooper is the filmmaker behind the new documentary series, and spoke to Variety about the reaction she’s gotten from fans ahead of its release. In her words:

The public was able to watch the Depp/Heard defamation trial on TV, which is why it dominated the news cycle as things played out. The court of public opinion made its own judgment, with Heard in particular being the subject of online backlash. It’s because of these strong emotions that Cooper has gotten a “balanced level of hate” about her documentary.

Given how Depp V. Heard will dissect how that infamous defamation trial went down, some might be surprised that neither of the actors were interviewed or involved. After all, the footage should include both of their testimonies, where Depp and Heard alleged abuse against the other. In her same interview with Variety, Emma Cooper opened about this decision, saying:

Indeed, much of the meat of this famous defamation case came from the testimonies by Johnny Depp and Amber Heard. Rather than diving into their allegations, the new Netflix doc is instead focused on how the trial became such a global phenomenon. And the director was able to craft Depp V. Heard without actually getting in touch with its titular subjects.

In the end Heard was found guilty on three counts of defamation, while Depp was found guilty on one. The two actors’ legal teams eventually settled, and both actors left the country to live abroad. It should be interesting to see how Depp V. Heard performs, and if it inspires renewed interest in their tumultuous relationship and legal battle. 

Depp V. Heard is streaming now on Netflix. Be sure to check out the TV premiere list to plan your next binge watch. 

The DC Universe has had plenty of twists and turns during the years, especially related to its leadership. James Gunn and Peter Safran were recently named co-CEOs of the studio, and are making sweeping changes to the shared universe. But there were a few upcoming DC movies filmed before this leadership changed, including James Wan’s Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. That movie is getting close to release, although some fans have signed a petition for Amber Heard to be fired as Mera. So what if Emilia Clarke replaced her in Aquaman 2? New fan art has explored this possibility.

The petition to see Amber Heard removed from the DCU happened right after Johnny Depp was fired from the role of Grindelwald in the Fantatic Beasts franchise. Despite Aquaman 2 already being filmed, fans wanted to see her removed and replaced thanks to VFX and reshoots. Game of Thrones alum Emilia Clarke has been a popular choice to take the mantle of Mera, and now we can see what she’d look like courtesy of fan art on Instagram. Check it out below:

Move over, Daenerys Targaryen and hello to Mera. Emilia Clarke looks pretty awesome in this fan art, even using the DC character’s signature aquatic powers in the process. And while it’s too late for Clarke to replace Heard in Aquaman 2, we’ll have to see what the future of the character might be in the new DC Universe.

The fan art above comes to us from the Instagram of digital artist Diego Oliveira, who has a few thousand followers thanks to his work. Aside from how awesome Emilia Clarke looks as this aquatic DC hero, the post is also cool because he offers a look at how he digitally imposed her face into the image. And the finished product is pretty damn convincing.

Not much is known about the contents of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, despite how it’s just a few months away from arriving in theaters. We’ve yet to be given a trailer for the DC blockbuster, which would no doubt help increase anticipation. This has led some fans to wonder if Warner Bros. might end up delaying Aquaman 2’s release yet again.

While Amber Heard is expected to appear in Aquaman 2, there are some rumors swirling about her role. Specifically that Mera might not be in the movie nearly as much as its predecessor. Whether this is related to her legal battle with ex-husband Johnny Depp remains unclear, but hopefully some concrete information comes sooner rather than later.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is currently expected to arrive in theaters on December 20th. In the meantime, check out the 2023 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

It’s almost hard to believe, but it’s been a year since Johnny Depp and Amber Heard defamation lawsuit reached a verdict. Both actors have moved to Europe to find some sense of privacy, although they’ve continued to make headlines. Since the defamation trial was available to watch on TV, the court of public opinion made its own judgment. Those who are on Depp’s side have been coming down hard on his ex wife, and there’s a super popular online petition to have her removed from Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. And it turns out the petition about Heard and Aquman 2 is still quietly racking up signatures.

The petition about Amber Heard and Aquaman 2 was started back in 2019, seemingly in response to Johnny Depp being fired from the role of Grindelwald in Fantastic Beasts 3. The petition has amassed a ton of digital signatures over the years, and about 9 months ago it hit the 4 million mark. Folks are still signing up on the Change.org page to this day, with 85 new signatures coming last week. Clearly there are still some strong emotions tied to the former couple, and the effects of their legal battle.

At this point of writing this story the total number of signatures on the Amber Heard petition comes in at 4,630,238, with a goal of 6 million. It’s unclear how long it might take to get to that massive number, especially if the pace doesn’t pick back up. Still, there are clearly folks who are on Johnny Depp’s side, and don’t think it’s fair that he lost a major job form Warner Bros. and his ex-wife did not. 

For now Amber Heard is still expected to appear in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, although DC sequel’s contents are currently a mystery for the public. There is a rumor that Heard’s character Mera will be a smaller role this time around, although that’s yet to be confirmed by the studio. This could help quell the naysayers, who take umbrage with her continued role in the DC Universe. We’ll just have to wait and see if it’s actually true.

Depp was asked to step down from his role as Grindelwald after he lost the libel case against the U.K. publication The Sun for referring to him as a wife beater. He had much better luck with the defamation trial, with Amber Heard found guilty on three counts and him found guilty on one. In the year since, Depp’s professional comeback has been underway. Although he’s yet to line up another major blockbuster film. 

While Amber Heard is expected to appear in the Aquaman sequel, it’s possible that will be her final bow as Mera. The new DC Universe co-CEOs have been making sweeping changes to the franchise, and it’s unclear if Jason Momoa’s franchise will continue on, or if he’ll be recast in another role. 

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom will hit theaters on December 20th. In the meantime, check out the 2023 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

It’s almost hard to believe it, but it’s been a year since Amber Heard and Johnny Depp’s legal battle was in the courts. The defamation verdict was largely in the Pirates of the Caribbean actor’s favor, and the jury initially ordered his ex to pay a whopping $15 million. Their legal teams eventually settled on a smaller sum, while both actors sought privacy in Europe. And while their trial might be over, Heard is still embroiled in another legal battle related to the case. Let’s break it all down.

Amber Heard’s ongoing legal issue is actually related to the defamation case. Specifically her insurer, who was seemingly responsible for helping her pay Depp. Radar Online procured court documents which indicated that the company New York Marine and General Insurance Co. isn’t dropping their case against the Aquaman actress. And it's related to the millions she was originally ordered to pay her ex.

Per the documents, New York Marine and General Insurance Co. acknowledged that it has a $1 million policy with Heard, which included defamation. But the legal battle is related to some specific provisions. Specifically, that they weren’t liable for the money if Amber Heard had “wilfully” committed any wrongdoing. The company is arguing that she did exactly that related to the defamation case with Johnny Depp, and that she was both “willful” and “malicious”

For her part, Amber Heard is firing back with a countersuit of her own. So while Depp and Heard’s team were able to settle on the payout, the case itself continues to have legal consequences. According to the actress, the company agreed to pay $1 million dollars with no restrictions.

It remains to be seen how this latest legal situation ultimately shakes out, but it’s definitely going to turn heads that the defamation case continues to have legal consequences. Since the public could watch Depp and Heard’s time in court on TV, it really dominated pop culture as a whole. And both actors have continued to make headlines over the last year.

It remains to be seen how this legal battle plays out, but it’s just the latest example of the way the defamation case continues to affect Amber Heard. Since the verdict was announced, the Aquaman actress has moved to Spain in order to have some anonymity with herself and her daughter. And while she was laying low over the last year, Heard is returning to the public eye thanks to a new movie premiere, as well as her upcoming role in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.

Amber Heard will be seen on the big screen in Aquaman 2 on December 20th. In the meantime, check out the 2023 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

Amber Heard had been quietly living in Spain in the aftermath of the viral defamation trial with her ex Johnny Depp. A few weeks ago, however, she came out of the woodwork in support of her new movie In The Fire and even opened up about how her personal life has been impacting her Hollywood career. Heard said she’s “not in control" of the narrative about her, and she’s trying to move forward. Insiders are still commenting, however.  

One recently claimed the actress had to “get out” following her highly publicized trial with her ex-partner Johnny Depp, which devolved into comments about a million alpacas (what it would take to bring Depp back to Pirates) and questions about whether Amber or one of the couple’s dogs had pooped in their bed. The lion’s share of the verdict ultimately fell in the Pirates actor’s favor, and Depp ultimately donated the money from the settlement to varying charities in what may have been a nod to Amber Heard saying she’d donate their divorce settlement to charity. 

Several individuals spoke to People for a cover article, noting Heard is “independent and smart” and that moving with her (now) two-year-old daughter Oonagh Paige is giving her the time and space to “heal.” Another insider told the outlet: 

The comments echo previous insider thoughts about Heard taking a step back to avoid the “noise” around the trial. While she hasn’t spoken at length about why she left the U.S., at the In The Fire premiere, Heard did seem to be happy to be back in the thick of things again. She was all smiles on the red carpet, and also spoke out about her upcoming work in Aquaman 2. 

One of the major points of contention in the title was whether the actress would be returning as Mera or not. Reports at the trial indicated Heard may have a reduced role in the hotly anticipated but oft delayed Jason Momoa starrer. 

Meanwhile, the actress sold her U.S. home in the Yucca Valley, with some reports hedging she used the money to pay Depp and his legal team after the trial had run its course. It's not known whether she'll return to the States at any point, but it's been clear over the last several weeks that's ready to be back in the public eye -- at least when it comes to her acting career. 

A little over a year ago, the defamation trial known as Depp v. Heard came to an end, and while there have been various updates concerning the aftermath of this legal saga since then, ex-spouses Johnny Depp and Amber Heard have essentially gone their separate ways. Looking specifically at Depp, while he’s questioned the idea that this chapter of his life is his “comeback era,” he’s certainly been keeping busy with a variety of projects. Now there’s also an alleged update on how he’s specifically feeling more than a year after the viral trial’s conclusion.

Per an unnamed source who spoke with People, Depp “closed the chapter” on the trial in the immediate months after its conclusion, with his endeavors at the time including working on the French movie Jeanne du Barry and playing shows in Europe with guitarist Jeff Beck, who passed away in January. This source added:

For those who need a refresher, Depp v. Heard ended with the jury ruling primarily in Johnny Deep’s favor, with the Pirates of the Caribbean actor being awarded $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages from Heard, though Heard was awarded $2 million in compensatory damages from Depp. By the following December, the two legal teams agreed to decrease Heard’s payment to $1 million, which Depp then donated to several charities. Per this source, this saga is now well behind him and he’s focused on the things that bring him joy. Regarding what he’s been up to more recently, he made a commercial for a Czech film festival, and on a more unfortunate note, he fractured his ankle, which required his band Hollywood Vampires to reschedule some of their tour dates.

As for Amber Heard, she sold her Hollywood home and is now living in Madrid, Spain with her two-year-old daughter, and according to a different unnamed source, she “has new energy and is focused on things that she loves.” A little over a week ago, the actress got candid about her personal life still being a popular topic of conversation while promoting her new movie In the Fire, noting that the promotion was “a first strong step to regaining control of her narrative.” It’s also been reported that Heard is writing a tell-all book about the Depp v. Heard trial, though this hasn’t been officially confirmed.

Although Vertical Entertainment acquired Jeanne du Barry for release in North America, it hasn’t been slated on the 2023 movie release schedule, nor the 2024 movie release schedule, so it remains to be seen when interested parties stateside will get to watch Johnny Depp’s first post-trial film performance. Meanwhile, Amber Heard will reprise Mera for December’s Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, and while In the Fire recently premiered at the Taormina Film Festival in Sicily, it doesn’t have a wide domestic release date yet either.

The DC Universe has had countless peaks and valleys since it burst onto the scene with Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel. During its early years, James Wan’s Aquaman seemed to prove what the franchise was capable of, as it was a critical and box office success. The long-awaited sequel The Lost Kingdom will arrive this December, and it’s coming after the disappointing financial performance of projects like Black Adam and The Flash. And Mera actress Amber Heard recently spoke about the “pressure” of Aquaman 2’s release in the midst of a few DC missteps.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom was filmed back in 2021, with Heard reprising her role as the superpowered heroine Mera. The project’s release has been delayed a number of times, and now it’s set to arrive for the Holiday Season. There have been rumors about Mera’s reduced role, although it’s unclear if they’re actually true or not. Heard recently spoke to Deadline about the DC sequel arriving after a few box office bombs, offering:

She’s not wrong. The film industry is a huge financial gamble, even for the smallest project. But the pressure to deliver a box office hit is much higher in superhero projects like Aquaman 2. After all, the DC flick has a reported budget of over $200 million. We’ll just have to see if folks turn out and see Jason Momoa-led film once it hits theaters in the winter.

Heard’s comments about Aquaman 2 come as she’s promoting her new movie In The Fire, which is set to debut at Taormina Film Festival. Eventually the conversation turned to Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, which is hitting theaters after the previous two DC flicks failed to live up to box office expectations. Later in that same conversation she spoke abou thow “honored” she is to have her ongoing DC role, sharing:

Amber Heard debuted as Mera back in the theatrical version of Justice League, before her character was expanded in the first Aquaman. After filing the upcmoing sequel, she also reprised her signature role in reshoots for Zack Snyder’s Justice League. We’ll just have to see if Mera continues to be part of the DC Universe now that new co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran are making changes to the franchise.

Despite a year passing since the defamation verdict was released, Amber Heard’s name largely remains synonymous with her long legal battle with ex Johnny Depp. The court of public opinion came down hard on the 37 year-old actress, and it should be interesting to see if/how this affects the movie’s box office performance.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom will hit theaters on December 20th. In the meantime, check out the 2023 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience.

These days, when Amber Heard is in the news, it’s usually concerning her personal life rather than her professional endeavors, such as her potentially writing a tell-all book about her defamation trial against ex-husband Johnny Depp, as well seemingly denying that she’s quit Hollywood. But 2023 is a big year for Heard on the acting front, starting with her latest movie, In the Fire, recently having its world premiere. But talk of the actress’ personal life continues in the midst of this rollout, and the actress got candid about this in an interview, which included noting that her promotion of In the Fire is not something she can be “sued for.”

Although a wide release date hasn’t been set yet, In the Fire’s world premiere was held at the Taormina Film Festival in Sicily, and while Heard was in the Italian region that she spoke with Deadline about this 2023 new movie release and more. During the interview, it was noted that plugging the movie is “a first strong step to regaining control of her narrative,” though the actress said that this has taken some self-discipline:

It was a little over a year ago that the Depp v. Heard trial ended, and initially, Heard was to pay Depp $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages, while Depp was to pay Heard $2 million in compensatory damages. However, by December 2022, after both sides had repealed their respective verdicts, a settlement was reached where Depp received $1 million from Heard, although the Pirates of the Caribbean actor donated that money to charities. But even in the aftermath of that legal saga, the Aquaman star has continued to have her personal life held to public scrutiny.

Still, it’s not like Amber Heard is only just now learning to deal with this sort of thing. As she explained with the below statement, she’s been professionally acting for many years now, with 2004 marking her film debut with Friday Night Lights, as well as TV debut with the shows Jack & Bobby and The Mountain, so she’s gotten used the public wanting to learn about her off-camera life.

In the Fire sees Amber Heard playing an American psychiatrist in 1890 who’s called to Colombia to work with a boy who’s been blamed by his own father, a zealous priest and the religious townsfolk for his mother’s death, They believe the boy is evil and are distrustful of a woman of science coming in with her psychiatric toolbox. Conor Ellyn directed In the Fire and co-wrote the script with Pascal Borno and Silvio Muraglia. This is Heard’s first movie appearance since 2021’s Zack Snyder’s Justice League, with Gully preceding it two years beforehand.

While it remains to be seen when the public will score access to In the Fire, Heard is also reprising Mera in the upcoming DC movie Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, which opens on December 20. And while she hasn’t turned her back on Hollywood performing-wise, the actress does currently reside in Spain with her daughter, which certainly decreases the chances of running into paparazzi.

Amber Heard has mostly stayed out of the public eye since her defamation trial with ex-husband Johnny Depp wrapped up over a year ago. Speculation has run rampant as of late in regard to the actress’ next professional steps. Well, this weekend, she marked the debut of her latest movie, a period piece titled In the Fire. Heard was all smiles at the premiere, as she signed autographs and crossed paths with other actors. Now, her director and co-star are opening up about working with her, and they had some high praise about her character in the aftermath of the legal battle with Depp. 

In the Fire was shot months before the actress entered the courtroom for the televised trial. The movie is helmed by Conor Allyn, who’s known for his work on movies like Java Heat and No Man’s Land. He and the Danish Girl alum seemed to have forged a firm friendship while making his latest film, which is a supernatural thriller. The movie made its debut at the Italy-based Taormina Film Festival this past Saturday. Amid the festivities, Allyn and cast member Luca Calvani took some time to speak with Deadline about their work on the film. It was during the discussion that Allyn praised his leading lady for being able to make it through her legal proceedings without changing: 

That’s some serious love from the filmmaker, who tells a dark story through his latest film. The feature sees Amber Heard play an American psychologist who travels to Colombia to treat a child that’s been dubbed as the devil by local townspeople. The young woman eventually comes to discover, however, that the young boy she’s been tasked with helping isn’t the biggest concern she must contend with. Luca Calvani plays the role of a clergyman and was able to work closely with Heard. When discussing his co-star during the festival, he described her as “generous and encouraging” and made note of the “light” she possesses: 

The verdict that was delivered in the defamation trial was mostly in Johnny Depp’s favor. After the dust settled, Amber Heard moved to Spain – a move that was reported to be “healthy” for her following the court case and backlash she faced from some people across social media. By May, she was spotted taking photos with fans, as rumors swirled that she “quit Hollywood.” Heard later broke her silence on the matter, asserting that she still plans to work. 

The release of In the Fire marks a major milestone for Amber Heard, as she prepares to ease her way back into a sense of professional normalcy. Though some are sure to have their opinions on her as time moves on, there are a lot of people who remain in her corner. Now, it would seem that Conor Allyn and Luca Calvani can be added to that list of individuals.

It’s been over a year since the verdict was reached in Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s defamation and, since then, the two have started new chapters in their lives. Heard, for her part, has been keeping a relatively low profile in the aftermath of her legal entanglements. Now, however, it would seem that the mother of one was ready to step into the spotlight again, at least for a little while. She celebrated the premiere of her latest movie, In the Fire, this weekend, and she was all smiles as she took in the atmosphere on the red carpet.

The 37-year-old actress was one of several stars who was present at the 69th Taormina Film Festival in Italy this weekend. Her new period piece was celebrated on Saturday, and she had more than a few memorable moments as paparazzi snapped photos. The Drive Angry alum walked the carpet in a long black dress, which included a belt that was wrapped around her waist. While at the event, she engaged with fans, enthusiastically signing autographs. You can see that for yourself in the photo below: 

In the Fire marks the first movie that Amber Heard has promoted since her highly publicized legal battle with her former husband. The production is a supernatural thriller that’s set in 1899 and sees Heard play an American psychiatrist who travels to Colombia to handle a situation involving a disturbed child. When she arrives, the doctor ultimately gets more than she bargained for – not just from the young boy but from the townspeople who think he’s the devil. 

While hanging out at the premiere, the actress also rubbed shoulders with at least one other actor. That person was William Baldwin, who was also at Taormina to promote his newest feature film, Billie’s Magic World. The two stars appeared to have a nice time chopping it up, based on the following photo: 

Amber Heard’s latest public appearance comes on the heels of months filled with rumors regarding her future in the entertainment industry. Back in May, an insider claimed that she’d “quit Hollywood.” Nearly a month after being spotted taking photos with fans, Heard broke her silence on the speculation, confirming, at that time, that she was still planning to work on projects moving forward.

Meanwhile, Johnny Depp has been busy both personally and professionally. When it comes to the former, he recently donated the money he received in his trial settlement to charity. He also celebrated the premiere of his first post-trial movie, Jeanne du Barry, at the Cannes Film Festival, where he received a standing ovation. Sources say that Deep is feeling good about his career and is looking forward to taking on more work. 

Amber Heard seems to be enjoying her life in Spain, and it’s been rumored that the move was “healthy” for her, as she’s allegedly still trying to move past the trial. As of right now, she still has another film that’s set to release, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. It remains to be seen whether she’ll choose to promote that project as she’s done with In the Fire, though, considering it’s more high-profile. But regardless of what lies ahead, it would seem that Heard is content with this period of her life. 

It’s almost hard to believe, but it’s been a year since Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s defamation trial came to an end. The defamation verdict was largely in Depp’s favor, although both actors were found guilty by the jury. In the months the pair of celebs have both moved abroad, albeit in different European countries. And now we may know why it was so “healthy” for Heard to move to Spain after the trial, per one insider. Let’s break it all down.

The Depp/Heard trial was covered widely by the press, but fans could also watch it play out on their TV thanks to cameras in the courtroom. Heard moved to Spain after the trial, where she’s seemingly able to get some much needed privacy. And an anonymous insider recently spoke to Us Magazine about why this was the right move for the Aquaman star. In their words:

That makes a great deal of sense. Dealing with a legal battle as a public figure is often difficult, but there was a giant worldwide microscope on Johnny Depp and Amber Heard in the midst of the defamation trial. As such, the 37 year-old actress needed some time away from the public eye. And really, who could blame her?

This insider look into Heard’s life shows how she’s been trying to move on in the wake of the defamation trial. While she was originally ordered to pay her ex a whopping $15 million, both actors’ legal teams eventually settled on a smaller sum. Depp has donated the money he won to charity, while also seeking some anonymity across the pond.

In the past year there have been a number of rumors about both actors. It was reported that Amber Heard had quit Hollywood for good, but she’s actually preparing to celebrate her first post-trial movie. Plus there's the forthcoming release of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, where she’ll reprise her DC character. Although it’s unclear how large Mera’s role will be this time around.

While the Rum Diary actress has seemingly been enjoying her privacy in Spain, it should be interesting to see if/how she steps back into the public eye. Heard expected to attend the premiere of her new movie In The Fire. Will she do press for Aquaman 2, or follow Ezra Miller’s Flash example and excuse herself? Only time will tell.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom will arrive in theaters on December 20th. In the meantime, check out the 2023 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

It’s almost hard to believe it, but the Amber Heard and Johnny Depp defamation trial occurred a year ago. Since the public could watch the trial on TV, the discourse surrounding the former couple was almost deafening. The verdict was largely in Depp’s favor, as his ex was found guilty on three counts of defamation and ordered to pay millions of dollars to the Pirates of the Caribbean actor. He actually donated his trial settlement money, and now the charities are speaking out.

While Amber Heard was originally ordered to pay Depp $15 million by the jury, the two actors’ legal teams eventually settled on a smaller sum: $1 million. The 60 year-old actor vowed to donate that money to charities, and TMZ has revealed some of their reactions. A rep from the Make-A-Film Foundation confirmed that they received $200K, and called Johnny Depp “one of the most generous people we've ever worked with.” Make-A-Film is an organization that allows critically and terminally ill children to make short films and documentaries with actors. So the sum of money will be going to the cost of said projects, including equipment. 

Another organization that confirmed funds from Depp is called Red Feather. The executive director Joe Seidenberg revealed that their donation will help address housing for the Native American community. A rep for the Amazonia Fund Alliance also spoke to TMZ, and claimed that forthcoming money from Depp will help to preserve the Amazonian ecosystem. 

Then there’s Marlon Brando’s charity called Tetiaroa Society, which reportedly received a donation of $200K of Johnny Depp’s defamation winnings. Executive director Frank Murphy offered a quote about the donation, which reads:

It certainly seems like Johnny Depp made good on donating the million dollars that he received from the defamation trial opposite Amber Heard to good causes. During their legal battle, his team insisted that he wasn’t out for money, and was solely focused on trying to clear his name. 

These reports are sure to turn heads, as they seemingly stand in juxtaposition to another situation involving the former celebrity couple. Amber Heard pledged to donate the money from her divorce settlement to charity, and has gotten backlash for not following through just yet. Although she obviously had an insane amount of legal fees when battling Depp in court. And in September of 2022 it was revealed that Depp himself actually donated money to one of those charities that Heard named.

Professionally, both Johnny Depp and Amber Heard seem to be in the process of finding a comeback. Depp’s first post-trial movie recently premiered, while Heard will be seen in Aquaman 2 on December 20th. In the meantime, check out the 2023 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

Being a celebrity is a tricky thing. While it can bring money and awesome opportunities, it also makes one’s personal life into a very public manner. That’s especially true when it comes to high profile divorces from A-listers. As Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s divorce case rages on, could they be the next Johnny Depp and Amber Heard? An expert has weighed in on this very possibility. 

Last year Johnny Depp and Amber Heard made countless headlines due to their divorce proceedings, and the public is still following every move from both celebrities. Since fans were able to watch their testimonies on TV, the court of public opinion came down on the former couple. Jolie and Pitt’s own divorce has been going on for years so will they be the next Hollywood divorce saga? Legal expert Neama Rahmani recently spoke to Us Magazine about this possibility, saying:

Clearly the stakes are high with Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s long legal battle. That includes the winery they’re fighting over, as well as custody over their kids. There’s also abuse allegations involved, which further complicates things.

Angelina Jolie’s allegations of abuse came out in October of 2022, and are specifically related to an incident from back in 2016. Given the seriousness of the allegations, Pitt and his legal team have doubled down on their legal battle against his ex-wife. Later in that same interview with People, Rahmani made more comparisons to the Depp/Heard case, saying:

Of course, the legal battle between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard was turning heads long before their defamation case in Virginia actually began. Still, Pitt and Jolie are wildly popular A-listers, so there are generations of fans who have at least a passing interest in what’s happening. We’ll just have to wait and see if the Mr. and Mrs. Smith stars go quite as viral as Heard/Depp.

In addition to custody, one of the big points of contention regarding Pitt and Jolie’s split is a winery that they’ve been fighting over. There’s financial, familial, and professional stakes on the line, and it seems that neither actor is planning on backing down. Only time will tell how it all shakes out. In the meantime, check out the 2023 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

Celebrity divorces tend to make headlines, but the split and ensuing legal battle between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard was on another level. The public was able to watch their testimonies on TV, thanks to cameras being in the courtroom. Following the defamation verdict in September, both actors have been living abroad in hopes of getting some much needed privacy. And despite an insider claiming that Heard quit Hollywood, she has a non-Aquaman premiere coming up shortly. Let’s break it all down.

Over the last year, Amber Heard has moved to Spain and is seemingly getting the anonymity she needed post-trial. But Heard recently hinted that she hadn’t actually quit Hollywood, and it seems she was right. Because Deadline revealed that she’ll appear at the 69th Taormina Film Festival for the world premiere of her upcoming movie In The Fire. And just like that, she’s back in the acting/promo game.

This marks the first time that Amber Heard has a public appearance since her defamation case. Heard and Depp’s reps finally settled back in December, with the Aquaman actress paying far less to her ex than the jury decided. After months of privacy, she’s emerging for the premiere of In The Fire, which is an upcoming supernatural thriller. And smart money says she’ll break the internet when attending the Taormina Film Festival later in June.

This news comes weeks after Johnny Depp’s first post-trial movie premiered at Cannes. His inclusion in the festival was the subject of some controversy, some of which Depp himself addressed on the press line. And it should be fascinating to see if the same thing happens with Heard when she attends the premiere of In The Fire. Either way, Heard returning to the public eye is no doubt going to turn a few heads.

Depp has been in the midst of a professional comeback since the defamation trial wrapped. This includes public appearances like the VMAs and Depp appeared at Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty show. And now it seems Heard is finally beginning to return to the public eye herself.

Of course, the biggest question mark surrounding Amber Heard’s career is her mysterious role in James Wan’s Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. While she’ll definitely be back as Mera, there were rumors during the defamation trial that Heard had a smaller role in the sequel. I’m curious about whether or not she’ll do press for the upcoming DC movie. After The Flash’s promotional tour didn’t include Ezra Miller, it seems like just about anything is possible. 

Amber Heard’s movie In The Fire is expected to debut at Taormina on June 24th. As for Aquaman 2, that movie will hit theaters on December 20th. In the meantime, check out the 2023 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience.

Being a celebrity can have its downsides, especially when a scandal is involved. Johnny Depp and Amber Heard likely know this all too well, as their legal battle and defamation case broke the internet when it went to trial. The defamation verdict largely ruled in the Pirates of the Caribbean actor’s favor, and both actors moved abroad to avoid the public’s eye. But is Heard writing a tell-all book about the trial? Here’s the latest.

Since Depp and Heard’s defamation case was settled, the Aquaman actress moved to Europe with her daughter. Amber Heard has been living in Spain and having some privacy, but a report by Radar Online indicates that she might be planning a big move. She’s allegedly looking to “share her truth” about how things went down, possibly with a tell-all book. 

Per this report, Heard is seeking a sum of $15 million to share her story about what went down during the defamation trial against Johnny Depp, as well as their tumultuous relationship. Both actors made serious allegations of abuse against each other while taking the stand, which is partly why the public became so invested in their legal battle. In the same report by Radar, an anonymous insider offered a quote about the possible book, saying:

While the jury ruled that both celebs were guilty of defamation, it does seem like the court of public opinion came down hard on Amber Heard. This might be part of the reason she feels she was treated so poorly, and wants to share her perspective. We’ll just have to see if the book actually comes to fruition, or if she uses her platform in another way.

After Johnny Depp’s new movie premiered at Cannes, the public has been wondering what’s coming next for his famous ex-wife. While there were reports that Heard had quit Hollywood, she recently claimed that acting was still in her future. It remains to be seen what comes next, although she’ll appear as Mera in Aquaman 2 this winter. 

As previously mentioned, the defamation case between these two A-listers basically broke the internet. With cameras in the courtroom, fans were able to watch every frame of footage from the trial. That includes both Depp and Heard’s emotional testimonies. The discourse online was deafening, even extending to Starbucks tip jars. 

Amber Heard can be seen in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom on December 20th. In the meantime, check out the 2023 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. As for Depp, he recently debuted his first post-trial movie, and is assembling the cast for his upcoming directorial project.

It’s been one year since the verdict in the dueling defamation lawsuits by Johnny Depp and Amber Heard were revealed. It marked the end of a long period of legal drama for both actors, but despite that, it turns out that Depp and his legal team still keep in touch. Camille Vasquez, who saw her profile rise significantly as a result of the case, says she still texts with Depp often.

Vasquez recently spoke with People about the anniversary of the verdict, which saw a jury award over $10 million to Depp. While both parties were technically found to have committed defamation, the Depp award was significantly higher than the one given to Amber Heard. While Vasquez was the lawyer that received the bulk of the press coverage, she gives a lot of credit to the rest of the people involved, who she says all worked very hard, which is why they are still close. She explained…

Things seemed so close that during the trial there were rumors that Depp and Vasquez had begun seeing each other. That turned out not to be the case, but while they may not have become a pair romantically, they still talk, text, and email frequently, as does the rest of the team. 

One supposes that considering what the team all went through, including the added pressure of cameras in the courtroom, it's not that big a shock if they bonded a bit more than the average lawyer/client relationship. They apparently have congratulated him on his return to the screen at Cannes as well as apparently sent condolences due to Depp’s recent ankle injury. Vasquez continued…

Johnny Depp does have a big birthday coming up. He turns 60 on June 9. While he may have to take it easy due to the ankle, it sounds like he’ll receive plenty of well wishes from his legal team on his special day. 

It's almost hard to believe it, but we're a year out of the Johnny Depp/ Amber Heard trial. The defamation verdict largely came down in the Pirates of the Caribbean actor's favor, although both celebs have moved abroad in the wake of that viral controversy. Heard broke her silence since moving to Spain in a new TikTok, seemingly denying quitting Hollywood in the process. 

Since the defamation trial was available to watch on TV, the court of public opinion also cast judgement on Johnny Depp and Amber Heard. Both celebrities have been able to find some anonymity by moving abroad, with the Aquaman actress spending time in Spain with her daughter. While it was reported that Heard had quit Hollywood for good, a video of her on TikTok seems to indicate she's not done as an actress. Check it out for yourself below:

Well, there you have it. On top of showing off her fluency in Spanish, Amber Heard has provided an update about how she's doing a year out of the defamation trial. And while she's been keeping out of the public eye and hasn't filmed any new projects, she does seem happy. What's more, Heard made it seems like acting will still be in her future. But it's unclear when/where.

The above TikTok occurs entirely in Spanish, although there are English subtitles provided. The clip opens with Heard being asked if she likes her current life in Madrid, which she confirms with a smile on her face. She's then asked if she's got any film projects coming up, and she says yes. We'll just have to see if/when any announcements about the Aquaman actress' career are released.

She's also asked about Cannes in this clip, which is a subject she pivots away from. Johnny Depp's post-trial movie debuted at Cannes, and has been the subject of some controversy. Brie Larson was asked about his inclusion, while Depp himself did press and talked about being "banned" from Hollywood.

Depp and Heard's names remain synonymous with their long legal battle, as the defamation trial had a grip on the public's attention last year. Both actors took the stand and made harrowing allegations of abuse against the other. Heard was ultimately found guilty on all counts of defamation, while Depp was found guilty on one. And after months of negotiations, their legal teams were able to settle on a number out of court. 

A big question surrounding the Rum Diary actress' career is her ongoing role in the DCEU. She's going to appear in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, although there were rumors that Mera's role was reduced. Amber Heard also filmed reshoots for Zack Snyder's Justice League, but DC's plans for the future are a mystery. 

Aquaman 2 will hit theaters on December 20th. In the meantime, check out the 2023 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience.

While being a celebrity is a dream for many, the reality of fame can have its downsides. This is especially true when celebrities break up, and their personal life becomes a public manner. Johnny Depp and Amber Heard likely know this all too well, especially when their defamation case was televised and judged by the court of public opinion. While Heard reportedly quit Hollywood and moved to Spain, she was recently spotted taking pictures with fans and signing autographs.

Heard and Depp’s defamation case was given a verdict about a year ago, following a long and grueling legal battle. Since then the public has watched as Johnny Depp began his professional comeback, both in music and in film. But his ex-wife has been doing the opposite, staying out of the public eye and raising her daughter in Spain where they could have some privacy. But despite this she was recently photographed signing autographs and posing for photos with fans. You can see one of the images below:

It certainly seems like the Aquaman 2 actress is in good spirits while living abroad with her daughter. She’s reportedly been able to operate with much more anonymity than if she was in Hollywood, which was no doubt a welcome change given how transfixed the public was with her and Depp during and directly after their defamation trial. We’ll just have to see if/when she ever returns to the states and continues her career as an actress.

As previously mentioned, cameras in the courtroom made Heard and Depp’s defamation trial into a circus, with fans (and alpacas) camped outside of the courthouse. The public was able to watch both actors’ grueling testimony, where they made allegations of abuse against the other. On top of online chatter, the discourse was so a part of the pop culture landscape that Starbucks tip cups asked customers to pick a side. And it certainly seems like the court of public opinion sided with the Pirates of the Caribbean actor. 

Following the defamation case’s verdict, both actors’ legal teams were still very much at work. Eventually they settled once and for all, with Heard tasked with paying Depp way less than the jury originally ordered. That’s when the 37 year-old actress slipped away from the public eye and started living in Spain.

The Edward Scissorhand actor’s professional comeback is in full swing, with Depp’s first post-trial movie debuting at Cannes. The cast for his next directorial effort was also announced, and includes Al Pacino. As for Heard, she’ll appear in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, although there are rumors about how large her role might be this time around.

Aquaman 2 will hit theaters on December 20th. In the meantime, check out the 2023 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience.

Celebrities are aspirational for many people out there, but fame can have its downsides. Johnny Depp and Amber Heard know this all too well, as their defamation case played out in front of fans thanks to cameras in the courtroom. They made countless headlines during this process, as footage of Depp and Heard testifying went viral. And an insider claims that the Aquaman actress has “quit Hollywood” a year after their defamation case.

The verdict on Depp and Heard’s defamation case was revealed in June of last year, with the trial happening throughout May in Virginia. The courthouse became a circus with screaming fans and alpacas, as the court of public opinion made its own judgment about the celebrities’ former marriage. Johnny Depp was largely the victor in courts, and Heard has kept out of the public eye over the last year. One of her friends reportedly spoke to the Daily Mail, sharing details like:

There you have it. It seems like both of the actors have been spending a lot of time abroad following the defamation case trial. Depp left Hollywood and moved to London, while Heard has been laying low in Spain with her daughter, possibly under a pseudonym. Given how much footage of their respective testimonies circulated around the internet, you can’t really blame them for trying to get some privacy.

A number of celebrities have been leaving Hollywood lately, so the former couple isn’t unique in this regard. But the question is: is Heard actually done with the city/industry forever? That same source addressed this with the Daily Mail, saying:

Amber Heard’s professional career has come to a screeching halt over the past few years, seemingly related to the defamation trial. While she’s expected to appear in Aquaman 2, there were reports that Heard’s role was reduced. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’s first footage included Mera, but it’s unclear how much screen time she’ll actually have this time around. 

As for Johnny Depp, he’s seemingly been in the midst of a professional comeback over the last year. He appeared in events like the MTV VMAs and Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty show, and his first post-trial movie will premiere at Cannes. But he hasn’t been involved in any major Hollywood productions just yet.

Aquaman 2 will arrive in theaters on December 20th. In the meantime, check out the 2023 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is set to be one of the final films of the current DC film universe before the new DCU is launched, and with that comes many questions. But one of the biggest questions we've had for a long time was just how Amber Heard would fit into the new film. CinemaCon attendees now have at least part of the answer as they have gotten the first look at the footage, which included Heard's Mera.

CinemaBlend is in attendance at CinemaCon, with today's WB presentation revealing the first scenes of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. While the majority of the footage was dedicated to Aquaman and Orm, and the internal battles they have while trying to unite against Black Manta who is trying to unleash some ancient evil, the audience also got a look at Mera. In the footage shown, one shot shows Mera punching the window out of an underwater craft in order to get inside, and a second shot has her firing a blast from her trident. It certainly appears Mera will be in some trouble.

Amber Heard and her performance in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom became a surprisingly important part of the actress' defamation case against Johnny Depp last year. Indications are that Heard's role in the Aquaman sequel is significantly smaller than her role in the first film. Her lawyers claimed this was in part due to a campaign against her. Executives at WB testified it was due to a perceived lack of chemistry between herself and Jason Momoa.

There was a petition started asking WB to fire Amber Heard, but there was never any indication such a thing was taken seriously, though there were rumors that Heard had been cut from the film. We now know with certainty that's not the case. 

Rumors have implied that Heard's character may get injured early on in the new Aquaman movie, and this is why her role is not more substantial. While the scenes shown at CinemaCon don't directly confirm that rumor, they don't refute refute it either. The footage that showed Mera in trouble could just as easily come from later in the film than early in it as it doesn't sound like there was enough context to be sure.

However, the fact that Mera was a very small part of the footage shown at CinemaCon is perhaps confirmation that one way or another, she won't be a significant part of the film overall. She's not shown in any of the scenes with Aquaman and Orm, who appear to be largely sharing the spotlight in the new film.

There is a lot more to be shown of course. With Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom set to open in December we'll probably get our first official trailers in late summer. They may give us a better indication of exactly how the various characters fit together.