Amid legal battle with Amber Heard, Johnny Depp finds refuge in friends Helena Bonham-Carter and Tim Burton

Johnny Depp filed a $50 million defamation lawsuit against his ex-wife in March 2019 over an op-ed she wrote for The Washington Post in December 2018
UPDATED MAY 28, 2019

Johnny Depp is reportedly turning to a couple of his old friends for support in these difficult times.

The actor has been seeking refuge with his old pals Helena Bonham-Carter and Tim Burton while he is going through a bitter legal battle with ex-wife Amber Heard and dealing with a plethora of allegations of abuse from the actress.

Depp has reportedly taken a number of trips to the couple's historic mansion in Oxfordshire, England.

The filmmaker and his actress wife have apparently tried to offer support amid the scandal over abuse allegations leveled against him by Heard in addition to his drug and alcohol abuse, according to The Sun

Depp filed a $50 million defamation lawsuit against his ex-wife in March 2019 over an op-ed she wrote for The Washington Post in December 2018, where she claimed she was abused by her former husband. (Photo by Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)

A source told the outlet, "Helena and Tim have been very worried about Johnny in recent months and have done what they can to help. Helena feels maternal towards Johnny although she’s younger than him — and that is why they stepped in."

At one point, the former couple even helped to stage an intervention for the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' star along with other friends including his bandmate Alice Cooper. 

Depp and Heard got married in February 2015.

The actress, however, ended up filing for divorce in May of 2016, along with a temporary restraining order against him, stating in a court declaration that he had been verbally and physically abusive during their relationship.

As reported previously, Depp filed a $50 million defamation lawsuit against his ex-wife in March 2019 over an op-ed she wrote for The Washington Post in December 2018 where she claimed she was abused by her former husband.

As part of the suit, Depp claimed that Heard had in fact physically abused him during the marriage rather than the other way around, a claim Heard has denied.

Depp has been traveling on-and-off to see his friends in order to cheer up and get away from Hollywood.

Depp and Bonham-Carter have even been spotted together at a traditional 16th Century pub in a village near Abingdon enjoying themselves while having a couple of drinks.

The filmmaker and his actress wife have apparently tried to intervene amid the scandal over abuse allegations levied against him by Heard, in addition to his admitted drug and alcohol abuse. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Bonham-Carter and Burton split up in 2014 after 13 years of marriage.

The former spouses have continued to remain good friends even after their separation, with the duo often spending time together at the home with their son Billy and daughter Nell.

Burton and Depp's friendship has been quite long standing, especially since the famous director has been behind a number of films starring Depp over the years, including Edward Scissorhands (1990), Ed Wood (1994), Sleepy Hollow (1999), Charlie And The Chocolate Factory (2005), Alice in Wonderland (2010) and most recently Dark Shadows (2012).   

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