The tense divorce of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard added another layer of drama over the weekend after Depp filed a $50 million defamation lawsuit against his former wife. The suit is a response to Heard’s op-ed published in the Washington Post accusing a partner of subjecting her to physical, emotional and sexual abuse.
The article does not mention Depp by name, but the widespread belief is that he was the perpetrator of those actions. Depp and his legal team are arguing that the piece is not only a false statement, but one that has ruined his reputation and cost him monetary gain.
According to the suit, a starring role in the fifth installment of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise was lost because of the attack on Depp’s character. This situation ignites a debate regarding the fallout of the #MeToo movement.
On one hand, all of the accused have the right to go to court to defend their reputation. In the movie business, where image is everything, people will go to extreme lengths to defend their character and increase their earning potential. It will be interesting to see what kind of dollar value this case puts on Depp and his reputation.
On the flipside of the argument is the fact that this case is a disturbing attempt to silence someone for speaking out about their troubling experience. Heard’s article is compelling and captivating. She opens up about her experience in an abusive relationship and breaks her silence on the matter.
Depp is taking drastic measures to put a muzzle on his ex-wife. People turning a blind eye to this kind of behavior is how the sexual harassment scandal was able to get so bad in the first place. If victims are not allowed to make their voice heard, then all of the progress that the movement made is lost.
While a decision will not be made in this case for several months, it will surely have ramifications throughout Hollywood, and will likely end up being part of the #MeToo movement’s lasting legal legacy.