The infamous defamation trial between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard is already receiving a film adaptation.
The Depp/Heard trial was one of the most highly talked about events on social media in 2022, with viewers frequently watching the defamation case unfold during its six-week session on television. While the jury only reached a verdict in June, the notorious trial's film adaptation is being fast-tracked to release on Fox's Tubi in late September. Per Variety, The Daily Show writer Guy Nicolucci is behind the script for Hot Take: The Depp/Heard Trial with Grace and Frankie writer Sara Lohman in the directing chair. Brittany Clemons, Angie Day, Marianne C. Wunch, Hannah Pillemer and Fernando Szew serve as the film's executive producers. Additionally, Ninth House's Autumn Federici and Kristifor Cvijetic serve as producers.
As for who makes up the cast, Parallels actor Mark Hapka portrays Depp, and Alone in the Dark's Megan Davis portrays Heard. Other cast members include Station 19 actor Melissa Marty as Depp's lawyer, Camille Vasquez, and Law & Order True Crime's Mary Carrig as Heard's lawyer, Elaine Bredehoft. Currently, no other casting information is known.
Hot Take: The Depp/Heard Trial is receiving a prompt release for the film 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," Adam Lewinson, Tubi's chief content officer, said in a statement. "Hot Take: The Depp/Heard Trial is one of many timely, culturally relevant original movies to come from our expanding partnership and slate of movies being produced in collaboration with Tubi," said Hannah Pillemer, EVP creative of affairs for MarVista. "Connecting viewers to stories with this kind of social currency and topicality makes watching them a must for any fan of pop culture or celebrity drama."
In 2015, Depp and Heard tied the knot after meeting on the set of the 2011 film The Rum Diary. Their marriage quickly came to an end when they decided to divorce in 2017. The year following their divorce, Heard came forward and alleged Depp had been abusive towards her, but during the trial, both parties alleged they had been abused. At the trial's conclusion, $15 million was awarded to Depp, while $2 million went to Heard. Since then, Heard's team attempted to have the verdict thrown out, but a judge denied her request to dismiss Depp's win.
Hot Take: The Depp/Heard Trial will be available to stream on Tubi for free on Sept. 30.
Source: Variety