Johnny Depp’s film career could be revived following his defamation lawsuit, according to a crisis PR expert.
The Pirates of the Caribbean star is suing his ex-wife over a 2018 op-ed she wrote in The Washington Post, where she claimed she was a survivor of physical and emotional abuse.
Although Heard never mentioned the actor by name, Depp says the article tarnished his reputation and ruined his career.
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He was dropped from The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise as well as the Fantastic Beasts sequel.
But crisis public relations expert and founder of HeraldPR, Juda Engelmayer, believes the defamation lawsuit is a chance for the Hollywood actor to revive his career.
Engelmayer told Business Insider that Depp probably won't be cast in ‘family-friendly’ films in the future, but he might be able to make a comeback by going the independent film route.
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"I think his role will be different," she said. "He'll be cast in independent films or films where he is maybe the bad guy, a criminal, a mobster.
"Someone who at first is not a likeable guy, not a fun guy, but someone who's the bad guy."
We definitely can’t see him playing Father Christmas following the trial.
Engelmayer, who has also represented troubling public figures such as Harvey Weinstein, Paula Deen and faux heiress Anna Sorokin, said that Depp’s comeback could mirror Mel Gibson’s.
The actor's career suffered for several years after he made a slew of racist and homophobic remarks.
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However, Gibson has since rebooted his film career, appearing in movies such as Hacksaw Ridge and Daddy’s Home 2.
Engelmayer said that Depp could make a similar comeback as the trial is painting the actor as ‘charming and more delightful’.
"Johnny Depp is showing studios and showing publicists that he can win audiences over," she said.
"That's the turning point of whether or not it's going to turn on Johnny Depp.
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"This is not a criminal trial, it's a civil trial.
"So in the end, he wins even if the jury believes him or doesn't believe him, awards him money or just awards him a symbolic win, or even if he loses completely."
The trial is set to get back underway this week after a week-long break.
Amber Heard will be back to testify, where it's expected she will reveal more about her relationship with Johnny Depp.
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The court will also hear evidence from actor Ellen Barkin and Heard's sister, Whitney.
Featured Image Credit: Cliff Owen/CNP/ABACAPRESS.COM/Alamy. Walt Disney Pictures, Walt Disney Studios Motion PicturesTopics: News, Crime, Johnny Depp, TV and Film