Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s private spat transitioned into a public spectacle following both stars opting for the legal route after levelling multiple allegations of physical abuse against each other during their short-lived marriage. The Hollywood heartthrob recently lost his high-stake libel trial against the British tabloid The Sun’s publishers for a 2018 article which labelled him as a wife-beater. While Depp issued a statement soon after, vowing his “career will not be defined by this moment in time”, he was forced to exit the Fantastic Beasts franchise, soon being replaced by Mads Mikkelson. His fans are now demanding Heard’s removal from the much-anticipated Aquaman 2, claiming that she was equally to abusive to Depp.
An online petition has been launched to axe Heard from the cast of Aquaman 2. It has crossed 1.5 million signatures while the target is 3 million. The petition was started earlier this month, after Depp announced he had been asked to step down from his popular role as villain Gellert Grindelwald. The petition claims 34-year-old Heard ‘systematically crusaded to ruin Depp in Hollywood,’ following their divorce. It also lists several allegations of abuse from Heard to Depp, again, dating back to their one-year-long marriage.
“Men are victims of domestic abuse, just like women. This must be recognised, and action must be taken to prevent a known abuser from being celebrated within the entertainment industry,” the petition adds. Depp lost the legal tussle after a British judge announced the accusations against him were “substantially true”. Following his defeat in the high-profile case, Depp published a statement, which read, “My resolve remains strong and I intend to prove that the allegations against me are false. My life and career will not be defined by this moment in time.” Do you think Heard will be removed from Aquaman 2? Share your thoughts in the comments below.