JOHNNY Depp is facing the destruction of his Hollywood career following allegations that he violently assaulted his estranged wife, Amber Heard.
Commentators on media, film, and women’s rights have all spoken out saying that the claims of domestic abuse have fatally undermined the actor’s standing.
Depp, whose hit film credits include Pirates of the Caribbean and Edward Scissorhands, was also facing calls on social media for a boycott of his latest movie Alice Through the Looking Glass.
The actor has been subjected to a restraining order by a judge which means he must stay 100 yards away from Heard, who said in a sworn declaration that the actor threw her mobile phone at her during a fight, striking her cheek and eye, and leaving her faced badly bruised.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Carl H Moor also ruled that Depp should not try to contact Heard, who also wrote that the actor pulled her hair, screamed at her and repeatedly hit her and violently grabbed her face.
She claimed the actor was high and drunk when the incident occurred, stating in the court declaration: “I live in fear that Johnny will return to (our house) unannounced to terrorise me, physically and emotionally.”
Depp is known for a turbulent love life and his previous partners included supermodel Kate Moss and actor Winona Ryder, in whose honour he had “Winona Forever” tattooed on his arm, but which he famously altered to say “Wino Forever” after they split.
However, Scottish domestic violence expert and psychologist Dr Mairead Tagg said that if the allegations were found to have substance Depp’s reputation would forever be tarnished by the graphic images of a battered woman and the suggestion that he was responsible.
Tagg, a recognised expert
witness in court on male violence, said that Depp would never be able to disassociate the family-friendly characters he portrays such as the Mad Hatter in Alice Through The Looking Glass from an episode of domestic abuse if proven to be true.
She said: “Obviously domestic abuse is domestic abuse, but it’s very disappointing that it’s someone of his stature – as a lot of women find him very attractive and he comes across as a nice guy.
“It illustrates that domestic abusers do not necessarily go around brandishing their knuckles and that they can at times be charming to most people, but still very aggressive and abusive to their partners.
“His reputation will slowly wither and it will be like having the shine taken off his persona. People are no longer prepared to overlook that behaviour in a star. I really liked Johnny Depp myself, but I wouldn’t want to go to see a film of his now.
“No matter how much you suspend disbelief when watching an actor in a film, a lot of people will just see him as someone who hurt someone else. I’ve no problem with a boycott of his film.”
Dr Michael Higgins, a media expert from the University of Strathclyde, said that the fallout from the allegations could prove so damaging to Depp that he would “never recapture his old image” as an actor who is particularly popular with women.
Higgins said: “He’s seen as a sympathetic, intelligent and complex man who it’s assumed had an element of vulnerability, but the popularity of Johnny Depp is based on a very savvy female group and it would be catastrophic for him if this was found to have happened.”
Amid calls on social media networking sites like Twitter for a boycott of Depp’s latest move, one fan wrote: “I hope johnnys career ends boycott alice through the looking glass.”
A second posted: “Boycott Alice through the looking glass and every other Johnny Depp movie #WeStandWithAmber.”
Sarah Artt, programme leader for English and Film at Edinburgh Napier University, said the images of Heard’s bruised face would linger in the memories of filmgoers, adding: “People might not go to see his films as the pictures of the bruises will never disappear, but a lot of it will depend on how their relationship plays out.”
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