The delay of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s defamation trial is, reportedly, not because of Fantastic Beasts 3.
News earlier emerged that Johnny Depp wanted to change the proceedings’ date to give way to the J.K. Rowling movie production. But, this might not be the case.
The threat of the coronavirus
According to Deadline, via Screenrant, the Fantastic Beasts 3’s production has nothing to do with the rescheduling of the ex-couple’s trial.
The proceeding has been moved due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in the freeze of the jury trial. So, it affects their legal case.
Just like the suit, the film’s production has also been repeatedly delayed due to coronavirus. Anyhow, the filming already continued in the U.K., but the lawsuit’s original court dates may affect Depp’s filming schedule.
Fortunately, his wish has been granted. The hearing is now moved from Jan. 11, 2021, to May 3, 2021.
So, Depp is now available to continue filming the third movie installment on Sept. 17 until February.
However, with the continuous rise of COVID-19 cases in the U.K., the continuation of the movie’s production remains uncertain.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_C26kipVRN/
Heard opposed Depp’s request to delay the trial
With the new trial schedule, Heard opposed Depp’s demand as it would affect her filming availability for Aquaman 2.
She claimed the movie sequel’s production would begin in February 2021, which might coincide with the new trial date in May.
However, Deadline noted, per Cinemablend, there were no shooting dates set for the film sequel yet.
Anyhow, it is expected to begin filming in the spring, so the new date of their proceedings may cause a huge problem on Heard’s schedule.
The acting career of Johnny Depp
Depp has played the evil wizard Gellert Grindelwald in the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them movie series.
Ever since he took this role, his career went downward spiral after Heard accused him of domestic abuse. It dramatically affected his career, as Disney had dropped him from the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise.
He lost one of his most iconic roles in history, Captain Jack Sparrow, as the future of Pirates of the Caribbean 6 remained uncertain. The list of all of his movie projects today is currently limited to only Fantastic Beasts 3.
Amber Heard published an op-ed in The Washington Post alleging the abuses she experienced when she was still married to Johnny Depp. This incited the actor to file a $50-million defamation lawsuit against her.
Featured image used courtesy of Tom Rose/Shutterstock