Johnny Depp has hit out at "cancel culture", warning that "nobody is safe". The actor was in attendance at the San Sebastián film festival in northern Spain when he shared his thoughts on the role social media has to play in blaming and judging individuals for allegations levelled at them.
Depp has been involved with a lengthy and vitriolic legal battle with ex-wife Amber Heard for some years now. The actor lost a libel case against British newspaper The Sun last year after it referred to hum as a "wife beater" back in 2018. A High Court judge ultimately ruled the claim was "substantially true," and that he "did assault Ms. Heard".
When asked for his feelings on the impact of "cancel culture" and social media, Depp didn't hold back. While he didn't mention it by name, his comments also seem to directly address the #MeToo movement which has predominately highlighted the sexual assault of women by men in positions of power.
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"It can be seen as an event in history that lasted for however long it lasted, this cancel culture, this instant rush to judgement based on what essentially amounts to polluted air," Depp started.
"It's so far out of hand now that I can promise you that no one is safe. Not one of you. No one out that door. No one is safe. It takes one sentence and there's no more ground, the carpet has been pulled. It's not just me that this has happened to, it's happened to a lot of people. This type of thing has happened to women, men. Sadly at a certain point they begin to think that it's normal. Or that it's them. When it's not.
"It doesn't matter if a judgement, per se, has taken some artistic license. When there's an injustice, whether it's against you or someone you love, or someone you believe in - stand up, don't sit down. 'Cause they need you."
Since Depp and Heard's legal battle started, the former has lost a handful of roles and claims to have been blacklisted by Hollywood. Meanwhile, Amber Heard will appear as Mera once again in the in-production Aquaman sequel, despite protests.
Topics: TV and Film, News