The case of Johnny Depp v. Amber Heard reveals secrets in Hollywood decision-making

During the five-week trial, a mystery emerged over the multimillion-dollar question: How much did Johnny Depp or Amber Heard’s careers suffer when the actors insulted each other?

Hollywood insiders, as a rule, keep an eye on the industry’s business, mostly busy dismissing allegations that the duo’s public slurs played a role in their careers. Consistently defending studios that refrain from a high-profile dispute over the top of the #MeToo movement, Walter Hamada, president of DC Films and the studio’s top official, who appeared in court on Tuesday, said “there was talk about a possible conversion. aquaman It will go on, but they weren’t related to your legal battle with Depp.

Hamada blamed the discussions over “chemistry” issues with protagonist Jason Momoa.

The testimony echoes Disney production executive Tina Newman, who last week revealed she was unaware that the December 2018 Libel Trial Center post, which played a role in the election, was not transferred elsewhere. Pirates of the Caribbean. Depp claims that he was released from the franchise shortly after the publication of a column, in which he does not specifically cite but describes “domestic violence” in connection with Herd’s marriage, and that he was still boycotting Hollywood.

In a $100 million lawsuit, Herd accused Depp of running a campaign to insult him by saying his abuse allegations were false.

In the 20-minute statement shown to the jury, Hamada describes in detail how he nearly lost Herd in the upcoming film. Aquaman and the lost kingdom.

“Concerns were raised towards the end of production on the first film,” Hamada said of the studio, “it’s best to go with someone who has a better natural chemistry with Jason Momoa and move on.”

Herd’s contract with Warner Bros. earned him $450,000 for his debut in Zack Snyder’s Queen Mera of Atlanta. Justice League Along with the studio’s options for updating the character in subsequent films, the actor confirms. He received $1 million aquaman And 2 million dollars for the extension. The studio has not decided whether to accept his option, for which he will receive $4 million for another film.

When asked whether the defamatory statements made by Adam Waldman, one of Depp’s lawyers, one of Depp’s lawyers, who was fired for leaking information in a press protection order, called the falsehood of the allegations an insult. compensation. aquaman Hamad later denied the allegation. He described the philosophy of Warner Bros. “Stop[ing] “People make their own decisions.”

“As a company, we face a lot of issues when it comes to dealing with actors,” Hamada said. “Traditionally, before joining the company, all options were renegotiated. “One of the things we tried to do was renegotiate all the agreements.”

For several days at the booth, Herd argued that studios and fans shunned him after Depp began to question his claims that he had been abused.

“I had to fight hard to keep my career going,” Herd said on May 17. “After receiving a temporary restraining order, I missed my opportunities. I was fired. I got kicked out of a campaign I filmed. I was struggling to keep a job on the biggest movie I’ve ever had: Justice Leaguewith option [for] aquaman.”

The actor added that Warner Bros. I didn’t want to involve him. aquaman He went on and filmed only a part of it “much reduced version”.

“They gave me a script, and then new versions of the script, which took away the scenes that were in action, that showed my character and another character, without spoilers, two characters fighting each other,” Herd said. “Basically, they took a lot out of my role. They just took the bouquet. ”

Following Herd’s testimony, Hamada confirmed that his role in the film was set before the couple’s legal battle and that his “hero part in this story was what it was from the start”.

The ostentation of executive power appointed as pastor of the expanded world of DC in 2018 after Justice League Arrested by Herd’s agent, WME Jessica Kovacevic, spoke about her role as a client aquaman The sequel was not as strong as desired. He revealed last week that he was told Herd’s role had been cut due to chemistry issues, but negative press influenced the studio’s decision and questioned why Herd’s run was not as good as Momoa’s.

“Your career is changing after something,” Kovacevic said, referring to Warner Bros., which cast Herdie Mera in the role after she took on the role. “At that time he was very well received in the film. At this moment everyone was happy with her. There were no problems. After that, a complete crash and then it coincided with constant, negative tweets about it. I don’t have physical evidence, but that’s the only logical conclusion I can draw.”

Kovachevich added that Herd was kicked out of the Amazon movie due to Depp’s accusations.

Hamada was the second Hollywood insider to testify for Depp in court. Jack Wiggham, the actor’s agent, had previously indicated that his client would have to pay $22.5 million to reprise the role of Jack Sparrow in the sixth. pirates The movie, but Disney took another tack after Herd’s opera.

“Once it was edited, it was impossible for him to get a studio film that we normally focus on,” Wigham said.

Herd also invited many industry related people to support their work. Newman was called to testify to deny allegations that Hurd’s abuse allegations led Disney to abandon its plans. pirates 6. He pointed to letters from company executives Sean Bailey, Alan Horn and Alan Bergman discussing matters with Depp.

The show was overshadowed by United Talent Agency agent Tracey Jacobs, Depp’s former agent, who kicked out her former client over a career-related problem with alcohol and drugs.

“His star disappeared because it made it difficult for him to get a job, as he got a reputation for being late and stuff,” Jacobs said, adding that “people were talking” about his drug use.

At one point, Depp had to use headphones to deliver his lines to him because he couldn’t remember them, he said.

The trial is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, with Kate Moss Depp testifying.