Johnny Depp says JK Rowling supported him during Amber Heard scandal because 'she knew I was falsely accused'
'Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald' earned JK Rowling a lot of flak for supporting Johnny Depp's casting as the titular Grindelwald.
In a statement released in December 2017 regarding his casting, Rowling said, "The film-makers and I are not only comfortable sticking with our original casting but [are] genuinely happy to have Johnny playing a major character in the movies."
At the time, public opinion was very much against Depp but has turned around since then in the wake of leaked audiotapes of Amber Heard abusing the actor. Now, fans are praising JK Rowling for supporting Depp when times were tough.
"JK Rowling's has trust in Johnny Depp and she stands by his innocence. So have all the other women who have dated JD. Justice for Johnny Depp," said one fan online.
"We revisited why Rowling defended Depp bc Twitter users have been praising her lately for choosing to support the 'Minamata' actor who turned out to be the ACTUAL VICTIM after @realamberheard confessed in a recording that SHE HIT HIM & STARTED THEIR FIGHTS' DAMN RIGHT SHE DID," wrote another user.
Depp himself has publicly spoken about his appreciation for Rowling's support. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, he said, "I'll be honest… I felt bad for JK having to field all these various feelings from people out there… But ultimately, there is real controversy. The fact remains I was falsely accused… JK has seen the evidence and therefore knows I was falsely accused. That's why she has publicly supported me."
Depp is currently suing News Group Newspapers, the publishers of the Sun and its editor Dan Wootton for defamation. Their article alleged that Depp was an abusive husband, as well as a "wife-beater."
According to the Guardian, Depp will have to disclose audio recordings of conversations between him and Amber Heard as evidence in the case.