Johnny Depp and Amber Heard's trial is already being turned into a movie despite pending appeals
- Streaming service Tubi is releasing a film based on Johnny Depp and Amber Heard's defamation trial.
- Heard, 36, and Depp, 59, spent six weeks in a Virginia court fighting liable and defamation cases.
Despite appeals pending, the story of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard's defamation trial is already becoming a movie.
"Hot Take: The Depp/Heard Trial" will retell the saga as a Tubi original movie, according to People Magazine, with details ripped straight from the headlines.
Mark Hapka ("Days of Our Lives") is set to play Depp and Megan Davis ("Famous") will play Heard. Comedy writer Guy Nicolucci created the screenplay.
Heard, 36, and Depp, 59, faced off in a six-week-long trial in Virginia from April to June. Depp brought the lawsuit against Heard in 2019, alleging she defamed him by describing herself in a December 2018 Washington Post op-ed as a victim of domestic abuse. He asked for $50 million in damages at the time. Heard countersued, alleging Depp abused her, and asked for $100 million in damages.
On June 1, 2022, the jury delivered verdicts finding that Depp and Heard both defamed each other.
The decision weighed heavily in Depp's favor. He won three of his claims against Heard and the jury granted him $10 million in compensatory damages and an additional $5 million in punitive damages.
The jury awarded Heard one victory out of her three counterclaims and granted her $2 million in compensatory damages.
The widespread interest in the trial placed their legal teams in the public eye as well. Camille Vasquez, Depp's lawyer, will be portrayed by Melissa Marty in the series.
Heard switched legal teams in August. David L. Axelrod and Jay Ward Brown will be representing her in appealing the verdicts. Her counsel during the trial, Elaine Bredehoft, will be played by Marry Carrig.
"'Hot Take: The Depp/Heard Trial' has 'Hot Take' in the title for a reason," said Tubi's Chief Content Officer, Adam Lewinson in a statement.
"With our partners at MarVista, this Tubi Original was fast-tracked into production to capture a timely take on a story that became part of the cultural zeitgeist, painting a unique picture of what millions watched play out in the headlines over the summer."
"Hot Take: The Depp/Heard Trial" will be available for streaming on September 30.