Pirates Of The Caribbean co-star claims ‘lovely’ Johnny Depp should return to films
Pirates of the Caribbean actor Greg Ellis has spoken out in support of Hollywood star Johnny Depp after he departed his role in the Fantastic Beasts franchise
Pirates of the Caribbean actor Greg Ellis has spoken out in support of Johnny Depp.
The 52-year-old actor portrayed Lieutenant Commander Theodore Groves in three of the Pirates of the Caribbean films opposite Depp, 57, who portrayed his iconic character Captain Jack Sparrow in the franchise.
Now Greg has spoken out in support of Depp following his dismissed libel case against The Sun newspaper for referring to him as a ‘wife beater’.
Depp strongly denies allegations of domestic abuse by his former wife Amber Heard and is planning to appeal the ruling by a UK judge.
He was subsequently asked to resign from his role as Gellert Grindelwald in the Fantastic Beasts franchise by Warner Bros. and he agreed to depart the Harry Potter spin-off series.
Taking to Twitter on Friday, Greg shared an image of Johnny Depp’s letter posted to social media announcing his departure from his role as Grindelwald, and wrote of his support for the star.
Greg tweeted: “I’ve known JD for over a decade. Worked on 4 movies together.
“Our kids went to the same school. A lovely bloke & great dad.
“I wish more of the actors, filmmakers & studios who benefited financially from working w[ith] him would show more public support. #JusticeForJohnnyDepp.”
Greg previously advocated Depp reprising his role as Captain Jack Sparrow in a sixth Pirates of the Caribbean outing when speaking to The Express earlier this year.
He said: “If Jack Sparrow isn’t a key, if not the key element, to wrapping up a multi-billion dollar franchise, is it not akin to not having Captain Kirk in [the original] Star Trek?”
When announcing his exit from the Fantastic Beasts franchise, Johnny shared a statement.
He penned: “In the light of recent events, I would like to make the following statement.
“Firstly, I’d like to thank everybody who has gifted me with their support and loyalty.
“I have been humbled and moved by many of your messages of love and concern, particularly over the last few days.
“Secondly, I wish to let you know that I have been asked to resign by Warner Bros. from my role as Grindelwald in Fantastic Beasts and I have respected and agreed to that request.
“Finally, I wish to say this.
“The surreal judgement of the court in the UK will not change my fight to tell the truth and I confirm that I plan to appeal.
“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.
“Thank you for reading.”
Johnny Depp lost his libel case against The Sun and its publisher News Group Newspapers last month after its trial played out in July.
In the High Court case ruling last month, Mr Justice Nicol, said: “The claimant [Depp] has not succeeded in his action for libel…
“The defendants [The Sun and News Group Newspapers] have shown that what they published in the meaning which I have held the words to bear was substantially true.
“I have reached these conclusions having examined in detail the 14 incidents on which the defendants rely as well as the overarching considerations which the claimant submitted I should take into account. In those circumstances, parliament has said that a defendant has a complete defence.”
A spokesperson for The Sun said: “The Sun has stood up and campaigned for the victims of domestic abuse for over twenty years.
“Domestic abuse victims must never be silenced and we thank the Judge for his careful consideration and thank Amber Heard for her courage in giving evidence to the court.”
In a statement, Amber Heard’s US lawyer Elaine Charlson Bredehoft said: “For those of us present for the London High Court trial, this decision and judgment are not a surprise.”
Meanwhile, Depp’s lawyers vowed to appeal in a statement: “This decision is as perverse as it is bewildering.
“Most troubling is the judge’s reliance on the testimony of Amber Heard, and corresponding disregard of the mountain of counter-evidence from police officers, medical practitioners, her own former assistant, other unchallenged witnesses and an array of documentary evidence which completely undermined the allegations, point by point.
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