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The highly publicized legal battle between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard captivated the world in 2022, shedding light on a tumultuous divorce marked by allegations of abuse from both parties. Amidst the chaos, actor Paul Bettany found himself unexpectedly drawn into the fray, as his text exchanges with Depp became central to the defamation case against The Sun newspaper.
Depp and Heard’s relationship began in 2009 during the filming of “The Rum Diary,” eventually leading to marriage in 2015. However, their union quickly soured, with Heard filing for divorce in 2016 and alleging instances of verbal and physical abuse by Depp. The ensuing divorce proceedings were highly contentious, with Heard ultimately receiving a $7 million settlement from Depp, a portion of which was pledged to charitable causes.
In 2018, The Sun published an article labeling Depp a “wife beater,” prompting him to file a defamation lawsuit against the tabloid. It was during this legal battle that Bettany’s text messages with Depp came under scrutiny. The messages, exchanged in 2013, featured dark humor regarding Heard, including references to burning and drowning her. Despite Bettany’s insistence that they were merely joking, the texts were damaging to Depp’s case.
Ultimately, Depp lost the defamation lawsuit, with the judge ruling in favor of The Sun and affirming the validity of Heard’s abuse allegations. The fallout from the trial was swift and severe for Depp, as he saw a decline in movie offers and a tarnishing of his public image.
Throughout the ordeal, Bettany stood by his friend, voicing support for Depp on social media and defending him against allegations of domestic violence. However, revelations during the trial also shed light on tensions between Heard and Bettany, suggesting that animosity extended beyond the central figures of the divorce.
In the aftermath of the trial, the once-unbreakable bond between Depp and Bettany appears strained, with the fallout from the legal battle leaving a trail of broken relationships and damaged reputations.