Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

[Leo656]

Originally Posted by Andrew NDB

This makes no sense. I don't care if he's in it or not as I probably won't even see this movie but... why would they ask this of him? Were the tapes not enough? Testimonies? Why punish him, on what grounds?

Because while she most likely hit him, he most likely hit her too, and you can't do that.

The judge in the most recent case, like myself, simply didn't buy the "Yes, I just stood there like a helpless lamb and never raised a finger" insistence. That's not how these things work. I've been saying since the start, they got drunk/high and beat on each other and that's the only version of events that makes ANY sense whatsoever. And again, you're generally not allowed to do that.

WB would have to be pretty bold to ignore a judge's very public claim that, "Yeah, he probably hit her." They'd look horrible to do that. The movies were stumbling anyways between mixed reviews and mediocre box office. He costs WAY too much money anyways and WB isn't going to have it to spend for a long time thanks to the pandemic. Easier to just recast and avoid a myriad of problems which would go with keeping him on... assuming they even get around to making Part III anytime soon.

Likewise, it's going on 5 years and we haven't heard one word about Aquaman 2 in ages - nor are we likely to anytime soon - so again, Heard is probably a non-factor because by the time they get around to making the movie they'll probably have to recast almost every character ANYways.

Ah well. A washed-up lush who hasn't been worth his price tag in over a decade gets taken off of a movie franchise that nobody wanted and most people didn't like or even care about to begin with. Waaahhh waaaaaaaaah. Not even news.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

That just means Depp is available for Pirates 9!

[Leo656]

Originally Posted by CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy

That just means Depp is available for Pirates 9!

[Andrew NDB]

Originally Posted by Leo656

Because while she most likely hit him, he most likely hit her too, and you can't do that.

Where is the evidence, though? There is a metric ton that she did... where is any that he did?

I suspect what happened here is that the studio is worried that loud Twitter people might boycott him in Beasts 3 regardless of if he actually did anything to Heard... so they gave him a sweetheart deal. Meaning, "Hey, do us a solid... just drop out of Beasts 3 and we'll give you a 3 picture deal for other movies."

Or something like that.

[Leo656]

Weren't there photos of her with bruises? Or are we to assume that was "all fake"?

I get it, you like the guy. But let's be real: Nobody's going to stand there and let another human being wail on them to the extent she supposedly did without hitting them back, that's just common sense. "Evidence", sure, but this was a civil court matter and not a criminal one. And civil court matters can and often are decided by common sense logic equally as much as evidential logic. See the OJ Simpson situation. In a criminal court setting where .0001% reasonable doubt can change the entire verdict, they had no choice but to say he wasn't guilty because a cop said the N-word once upon a time. But in civil court, the verdict was, "Yeah, let's be real, he totally, totally killed those people and we all know it." So yeah, there's evidence, and then there's also, "C'mon, let's not be stupid, we know what happened."

He absolutely didn't lay there like Rodney King and let Amber take 57 free shots, let's just be real. You don't need to be a fly on the wall to know what happened. A couple of coked-up losers went nuts on each other after one or both of them got caught cheating, and now they've been pouting about it for 5 years.

Who cares? Happens every day. If they weren't rich and pretty nobody'd even care and nobody'd be picking sides. They'd just say "F*ck both of these twats" and move on with their lives. If they were from Alabama and it was Johnny Stumpf*cker and Amber Methscabs, nobody'd even give a sh*t.

And LOL at the idea of anyone continuing to give this loser $20 million a movie for a three-movie deal on ANYthing anytime soon. Seriously, f*ck that guy. Maybe Burton will keep puffing on his dick and tossing him a bone now and then, but I doubt anyone else will.

Don't get me wrong, he'll still get work. But his price tag is gonna have to come down and his days as a mover/shaker in Hollywood are very likely over, or at least diminished. There will always be a ton of thirsty chicks who'll excuse him even if he DID do it (I can't tell you how many chicks I know personally who say out loud they absolutely don't care if he hit Amber Heard, that "she deserved it" and they'd still totally f*ck him because no way he'd ever do that to them you guys). But he's a huge PR risk, now, and nobody wants to bother with an overpriced problem case who spends twenty grand a month on f*cking wine and brags about it.

He'll still work, but his star has fallen.

[Sumac]

Originally Posted by ZariusTwo

Warner Bros have told Johnny Depp his services as Gellert Grindelwald are no longer required

https://variety.com/2020/film/news/j...se-1234824564/

So, crazy bed-shitter goes to star in another blockbuster, but supposedly peaceful (?) guy is ****ed.
Nice justice, shitstains. Nice justice.

I hope those pieces of trash won't be surprised, by the fact, that a lot of people stop support them after this.

And, yeah, maybe Depp hit her. Which is not good, but, if it was done as a self-defense or when he lost control as a result of abuse, I won't blame him that much. And it definitely not the ground to fire him.

[Leo656]

It kind of is.

Look, I've had lots of physical fights with numerous intoxicated relatives in my own family, so I know how it is. I'd knocked out both of my parents by the time I was 14. Nobody knows better than I do that sh*t happens. And to a point, I empathize.

BUT, it doesn't matter what the story is, Word Of Law says that certain things aren't allowed. If I were applying for a job at McDonalds, and it somehow came out that "Oh, gee... so your mother tried to hit you in the head with a frying pan, so you backhanded her in self-defense" or one of any number of other horror stories I lived through, guess what? It doesn't matter if I was technically in the right, I don't get the job. And if it becomes common knowledge then I don't get any job ever again, anywhere. Right or Wrong, Fair or Unfair, that's how it works.

Thus, if we want to be consistent in our application of what "The Rules" are, a guy who hits women shouldn't be "rewarded" with $20 million acting roles and lots of fawning publicity about what a nice guy he is. Even if he was "technically right" to do so.

I've never said Amber didn't have it coming. She probably did. But that's not supposed to matter.

Frankly, the fact that he was even with her to begin with shows what an idiot he is. He was previously in a much more stable relationship, which he walked away from because Amber was younger, hotter, liked the same drugs and fueled his midlife crisis. Which is basically what happened with my own Dad when he left his wife and kids to be with my Mom, which I can attest ALSO worked out very poorly for everyone involved. Nobody forced Johnny Depp into the relationship, he made a bad choice by putting sex and drugs over his family and other values. When you do that, historically things turn out poorly. Thus, I don't feel the least bit sorry for him. Any idiot could see that it wasn't going to end well, but he made his bed and now he has to lie in it. When you think with your dick, you get burned. "Oops."

"Never stick your dick in Crazy." That's a Day One. Like I said, I can empathize to a point, but I can't sympathize. He's a proven moron for a LOT more reasons than his relationship with Amber Heard, and it's al become a matter of public record. Whether it's who he f*cks, who he's friends with, or how he spends his money, Johnny Depp is basically "Bad Decisions: The Guy".

That's how he chooses to live. He's a grown man, he's responsible for his own choices as well as the fallout from those choices. Let's not make excuses for the provably stupid just because they happen to be pretty and famous.

[Roseangelo]

I'm kinda angry about this, since it's pretty well documented that Depp is innocent. But at the same time, it's an easy out of a very meh franchise for Depp, so... ehh. Maybe he is legit ok with this. I just wish it weren't framed as happening because he's an abuser, because he's not.

[Leo656]

"Innocent" as in, "He definitely didn't hit her"? Or "innocent" as in, "If he did she deserved it"?

Just curious. Because all we can do is assume in either case.

My wife's outspoken and unapologetic position is, she wants to f*ck him, so even if all allegations against him are true then it's Perfectly Fine as far as she's concerned. And to be completely blunt, that's the position I see MOST women taking. It's just like R. Kelly, and all those women who come right out and say "I don't care if he DID pee on that little girl," etc. etc.

I just find it all very interesting. The generally-accepted narrative until this specific situation happened was, "All women who claim domestic abuse should be given the benefit of the doubt." But now, it seems that there is an unspoken addendum which states, "UNLESS the guy accused is super-cute, in which case, nah, man, he couldn't have done it. And if he did, Oh Well."

Frankly, I'm with all the domestic violence organizations who are aghast at how quick all the women online are to assume innocence in his case. Again, even if she totally had it coming, he probably laid hands on her and thus he should be treated no differently than any other human being in such a situation. EVERY other man who's ever been accused of either domestic violence or even sexual abuse, historically, women are given the benefit of the doubt. But it seems to ME, that has a lot to do with the fact that a lot of the men accused look more like Harvey Weinstein and less like Johnny Depp.

I just don't think pouty lips should excuse bad behavior. But that seems to be what's going on. Just calling it like I see it. Because again, TOO many women online have said, and I'll paraphrase, "I don't care if he DID hit her, he gets me moist so all's forgiven."

And the world simply shouldn't work that way.

[Roseangelo]

Originally Posted by Leo656

"Innocent" as in, "He definitely didn't hit her"? Or "innocent" as in, "If he did she deserved it"?

As in she was the one abusing him.

https://consequenceofsound.net/2020/...dio-recording/

[Leo656]

And we have concrete proof that he never put a paw on her, even in retaliation?

Nah, I don't buy it.

I'm not interested in whether or not she did, we know she did. That's not a matter of dispute, nor am I saying she's in any way the "good guy" in the situation.

But I do think - having been in and witnessed the same exact type of scenario play out countless times in my lifetime with dozens of different people involved, MOST of whom were also intoxicated as Depp and Amber were - that the idea that he just stood there and took it is beyond naive.

I'm also not saying that if he did hit her, she didn't have it coming. Honestly, I don't really care if he did, I don't feel bad for her at all, she's clearly a junkie and a scumbag. What I'm saying is, so is he and I think it's crazy that people are painting him as this innocent gentle flower who was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. That's not what happened.

There's NO way that Johnny Depp, who's chronically drunk and at least half the time coked out of his gourd - again, these are facts about his lifestyle, not suppositions - stood still with his hands in his pockets and let anyone play Whack-A-Mole on him. He definitely, definitely, definitely hit her back. To think otherwise is way past naive. And again, f*cking good for him if he did, I'm not in her corner on this. However, I also don't outright dismiss the idea that he could have hit her first and THEN she took the 87 free shots. By his own admission, Depp is a huge, HUGE fan of cocaine and alcohol, BOTH of which can make an otherwise "reasonable" person turn incredibly violent. MOST of the real-life fights I've been in were against people who were drunk, coked out of their mind, or both at the same time. And they were usually as docile and gentle in "normal" life as Depp supposedly is. BUT, all that goes out the window when alcohol and cocaine are involved, and in this case, we know for a fact they were both f*cked up.

I'm just saying, it blows my mind that people aren't treating this situation realistically, and that MOST of the reasoning behind it is that either "The guy just seems really charming" or "He makes my 'giney tickle". That's ridiculous. He might be a "nice guy", but he's also a drunk, a pill-popper, and a cokehead. Many things can be true at once, and we KNOW those things are true. And if you ever lived with half as many of those types of people as I've been forced to in my life, you know what can and does happen.

Yes, she hit him. BUT, he hit her, too. And either that's Okay or Not Okay. And if it's Okay, then that opens up a whole box of uncomfortable conversations. Like Andrew hinted at in the Sean Connery thread, Connery flat-out said numerous times that SOMEtimes, it's okay to hit a woman. Most people disagree, at least out loud. But what's the standard? Where's the line, is what I'm asking. Do we just pick sides based on who we like more? Because that's honestly what's going on here with at least SOME of the people who comment on the situation, and it makes me uncomfortable.

Frankly, in the interest of full disclosure, I've always agreed with Connery, and this situation seems like a case in point. I'm not mad at Johnny Depp if he hit Amber Heard, I'm more mad at the idea that there's selective enforcement of standards based on whether we're a fan of a person or not. I know that's the reality we live in, but it seems unseemly, to me.

[Roseangelo]

Obviously everything about that relationship was a mess. But I don't think he deserves to be "cancelled" and/or fired because of that.

[Leo656]

Well, no, I mean I don't really think anyone should be. I mean if John Lennon still gets so much play on the radio in spite of the fact that he too was a proven scumbag who merely happened to write a few pretty songs, then sure, anybody should be allowed to have a career. People screw up, I don't necessarily think that they need to go in the ground over it.

I just don't generally like selective enforcement or double standards. And anyone in WB's position would put themselves in a very bad spot by supporting Depp at the present time. I mean, SOME women are still very much of the belief that he hit her and are willing to make noise and/or boycott his films, even if she "had it coming".

WB as a billion-dollar company are wise to distance themselves from that sort of heat.

He'll survive. He'll absolutely get work again eventually, but I do think WB is doing the smartest thing they could possibly do in light of the circumstances and the allegations. I mean, suppose a new video "leaks" of Depp throwing her into a wall, after all of this. If they stood by him, and then that came out, they'd all look like assholes.

Similar things are going on in the wrestling business at present. Lots and lots of guys (mostly on the indies) getting blacklisted because of "alleged" abuse, either physical or sexual. Very little actual "evidence" involved outside of text messages - which can of course be faked - and no criminal charges filed in just about every case, BUT, the promotions involved still terminate their relationship with the guys accused at their discretion 99.9% of the time. Same thing. "We can't take the chance, and we don't need the heat. if we promote this person, and he DID hit or rape that girl, then we look like scumbags and it affects our business."

It's easier to just err on the side of caution and replace the problem-case. Fair or unfair... it's just plain sensible. Whether it's Joey Ryan or Johnny Depp, or Johnny Smithapple working for Domino's Pizza... if your behavior reflects poorly on the company paying you, then they're within their rights to cut ties with you at their discretion.

In ALL cases, the men affected by this sort of thing would do better to make better life choices. Specifically insofar as who they dip their wick into. It seems like MOST of these stories start with a guy f*cking some chick who's clearly out of her mind, and the rest just escalates from there. Well, then don't do that. Simple.

I mean, sure, Amber Heard is pretty hot. But right now you can bet your ass Depp wishes he'd thought with his head and not his dick when he met her. "Oops." Well, that's all on him. His choices, his decisions... his penance.

All Life Is About Choices.

[AquaParade]

While there is a lot of sympathy "wasted" on Depp in a situation like this, it still seems rather apparent that he is relatively innocent. At least to the point where that piece by The Sun seems full of lies and slander. When the matter becomes this public, it seems like it'd be in the best interest of everyone if justice was served.

It's very hard to ignore the fact that she has been in trouble for domestic violence in the past with previous partners, while all of Depp's have nothing but wonderful things to say about him. That in itself isn't proof, but it's one of the stronger elements of the case.

And, Leo, funny enough, there is tons of evidence that point to Amber's bruises and injuries being faked. Several pictures and accounts of Amber the next day, with the bruises and scrapes gone, seemingly overnight. I only point that out bc I believe you asked, possibly rhetorically. So, that's definitely fishy as hell.

But I have to question my own stance now, because I am somewhat shocked that Depp lost the case. Perhaps there is an insane twist to this story that would change my perspective, but I don't know. I also have to consider that the judge failed.

[Shark_Blade]

Yet Amber Heard is kept by WB for Aquaman 2. Such injustice.

This franchise is finished tbh.

[Galactus]

This is a difficult one for me. I hate to give a rag like The Sun and Dan Wootan a win but Leo has it 100% nailed on. Amber Heard was not on trial here and all that had to be proved was that Johnny Depp hit her. Whether it was in self defence or retaliation doesn't matter - that is all it takes for The Sun to be justified calling him a "wife beater". The judge felt there was sufficient evidence to prove he did it at least 12 times.

Pursuing this trial was a mistake. Whereas before the tag of wife beater was implied now it's official. Even putting this aside I would say by he's needlessly exposed himself as a deeply unpleasant individual at least in this relationship. That text message to Paul Bettany alone would end most people's careers.

I don't think Amber Heard has got off Scot free either. She too has been exposed as hugely flawed person even if she may not have literally **** the bed and it looks almost certain she was the instigator of violence more than once. I'm guessing her career will suffer too.

I'm sure Depp will be fine. It seems the majority of the public are on his side and I'm sure studios will take that into consideration but his days as a family friendly box office draw are over which may be for the best. I saw Once Upon a Time in Mexico on TV a few weeks ago and completely forgot he was capable of roles that weren't all look how kooky I am and I wear funny hats.

[AquaParade]

At the least, it's just bizarre that WB is holding on to Amber Heard, while dropping TV stars on the CW or whatever it is for old tweets.

[Galactus]

Well she is technically the victim. However she has come out of this very badly and I imagine she'll be quietly dropped from Aquaman. There was already talk that Mera will go off and he'll have a new female partner. I'm not super familiar with the Aquaman mythos to know who that will be but I think that is likely.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

Originally Posted by AquaParade

At the least, it's just bizarre that WB is holding on to Amber Heard, while dropping TV stars on the CW or whatever it is for old tweets.

At this point, I'm assuming the reason Amber has so far been untouchable is that she's smoking hot. And maybe banging somebody.

[AquaParade]

I'm starting to think she is just really good at imposing her will on the universe. She is...powerful.