Johnny Depp fell, but his career is not over after losing the "abuser" case
Johnny Depp's defeat in a London defamation trial may be the last straw in a declining career as a major movie star, but much of the damage had already been done, Hollywood analysts said Monday.
Depp, 57, known as the arrogant Jack Sparrow in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise, had sued a British tabloid that had called him a "wife beater" during a tempestuous relationship with his ex-wife, actress Amber Heard. .
The actor told the court that he was never violent towards his ex-wife and his lawyers described the ruling as "perverse and disconcerting" and said it would be ridiculous if he did not appeal.
Matthew Belloni, former editorial director of the Hollywood Reporter, said the sordid details of the short marriage had been so publicized in recent years that the London verdict was likely to have little impact on the industry.
"There is a sense in Hollywood that Johnny Depp is a tainted brand and that his dominance of the box office in the 2000s has come to an end," said Belloni.
Depp has often played unconventional characters and has an army of fans using social media with hashtags like #JusticeForJohnnyDepp, who was angered by Monday's ruling.
But incidents like head butts and bloody graffiti that were recounted in the July trial stood in stark contrast to Depp's family movies like the "Pirates of the Caribbean" and "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" franchises.
"I think it's the last nail in the coffin of the Johnny Depp brand," said celebrity expert Jeetendr Sehdev. "The verdict does not align with that image," he added.
Disney, which has been working on a relaunch of the "Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise, did not respond to inquiries Monday about Depp's future. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer said in an interview in May that it was unclear what Depp's role would be in a sixth film.
Depp's casting as the villain Gellert Grindelwald in "Fantastic Beasts" had already sparked controversy in 2017. But he was cast for a third appearance in the Warner Bros franchise, which began filming last month. Warner Bros did not respond to a request for comment Monday.
Depp is also the face of men's fragrances from the fashion house Dior. The firm also did not respond to a request for comment about his future relationship with the actor.
Belloni said that while Hollywood studios "no longer clamor to be in Depp's business," the actor's career is far from over.
“He always goes to work if he wants to because he is a talented actor and there will be smaller movies that will cast him. If one of them turns out to be a big hit, he'll be back, "said Belloni, recalling Robert Downey Jr's return as" Iron Man "eight years after serving a year in prison for drug possession.
