Depp-heard flameout gets the treatment
Documentary looks at failed marriage.
One of Hollywood’s messiest modern divorces will be the subject of a forthcoming documentary.
Discovery+ has announced “Johnny vs. Amber,” a two-part series about the whirlwind relationship and acrimonious split of actor Johnny Depp and actress Amber Heard.
No release date was provided for “Johnny vs. Amber,” but it will reportedly be available for streaming this fall.
Produced by Optomen, the films will be told from each side of the ex-couple’s polarized perspective.
“Depp’s film will portray that he found himself married to a Machiavellian liar who would stop at nothing to protect her image. While Heard’s film explores how she married the man of her dreams only to see him turn into a violent drug-fueled monster,” the streaming platform said in the announcement about the film.
“The series provides an in-depth insight into the epic battle that powered #Justiceforjohnnydepp and #Istandwithyouamberheard fan campaigns and the very public High Court case that gripped us all,” Discovery head of entertainment Clare Laycock said with last week’s announcement.
The couple’s relationship has played out in the zeitgeist with accusations from both sides, including Heard accusing Depp of domestic violence. Depp has countered with claims that Heard faked her injuries.
The two were married in February 2015 after meeting on the set of 2011’s “The Rum Diary.” Heard filed for divorce the following year. They have also been locked in various civil lawsuits,
‘We think it’s a compellingly contemporary story on truth and lies that we hope will open up a conversation with our viewers on Discovery+.’ Charlotte Reid
Discovery vice president
including Depp suing and losing for libel after being called a “wife beater” by a United Kingdom tabloid. Their divorce was finalized in early 2017.
“Johnny vs. Amber” will feature footage from the attorneys involved in the divorce, from people close to the pair and from Depp and Heard’s own text message exchanges. Viewers will also examine extensive footage and audio recordings filmed by the couple themselves.
“The story of what happened between Johnny and Amber continues to be hugely divisive, between fans and the public at large. We set out to make a documentary that would explore the story from each of their perspectives, so the viewer can go beyond the headlines, understand who they are and decide who they should believe in this complex human story,” Discovery vice president of commissioning Charlotte Reid said. “We think it’s a compellingly contemporary story on truth and lies that we hope will open up a conversation with our viewers on Discovery+.”
Laycock credited the producers doing “a fantastic job turning this multi-layered story into something both engrossing and horrifying.”