Johnny Depp Opens Up About Amber Heard Trial Two Years After the Verdict

Johnny Depp has opened up about the 2022 defamation trial with his ex-wife, Amber Heard, during a press event for his upcoming film.

Depp was in Spain promoting Modi, a biopic that he directed about the life of Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani, whom Depp also portrays in the movie.

This is his third time directing a feature film, following The Brave in 1997 and Stuff in 1993.

During the press event, the Pirates of the Caribbean star took a moment to reflect on his personal life, making a subtle reference to the widely publicized 2022 trial between him and Heard. 

The trial had garnered worldwide attention.

In 2018, Heard wrote an op-ed for The Washington Post titled, "I spoke up against sexual violence—and faced our culture's wrath. That has to change." 

While she did not specifically name Depp, his lawyers argued that the article implied he had been abusive toward her during their marriage. 

Depp then sued Heard for defamation in 2022, and she countersued him in response.

The trial ended with the jury ruling in Depp’s favor, awarding him $15 million in compensatory and punitive damages, as reported by the BBC.

Johnny Depp referenced the trial in a press conference about his new movie Raul Terrel/Europa Press via Getty Images

However, Heard won one of her three counterclaims and was awarded $2 million.

Following the trial, it was reported that Heard moved to Madrid, Spain, with her three-year-old daughter.

Recently, she has reportedly made comments regarding Depp's appearance at the San Sebastian Film Festival.

At the press event, Depp didn’t shy away from addressing the trial indirectly. 

In a video captured by The Hollywood Reporter, he made light of the situation, telling reporters: 

"Each [character] has their story because I’m sure we can say that I’ve been through a number of things here and there… Maybe yours didn’t turn into a soap opera."

Amber Heard has reportedly relocated to Spain following the trial in 2022 Instagram / amberheard

He continued, "I mean, literally, televised," which caused the audience to burst into laughter.

Depp then reflected on the challenges of life, saying, "But we all go through what we go through. To see these people on the verge of earning their stripes—there’s something beautiful to me about those days, living in a tiny studio apartment just off Hollywood Boulevard in a dangerous neighborhood.

"They were tough. They were rough, ugly; they were weird, all kinds of stuff, but they were beautiful."

The film Modi was born from a suggestion by Al Pacino. Depp humorously shared the story of how Pacino encouraged him to take on the project.

Using his best Pacino impersonation, Depp recalled the actor saying:

"Hey, you remember that Modi thing I was on about a few years ago? I think you should direct it."

Depp added with a grin, "For some reason, they saw me driving this strange machine. I mean, when Pacino speaks, you must listen."

With Modi, Depp appears to be moving forward from the media frenzy surrounding the trial and returning to his creative roots.

His mention of the difficult but "beautiful" times in his life offers insight into how he is approaching both his personal and professional future.