Hot Take: The Depp/Heard Dispute is based on the highly publicized defamation trial between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard. They initially met while filming The Rum Diary in 2011. They married in 2015, however their marriage ended in 2017 when they divorced. Heard seemingly accused Depp of domestic violence without naming him directly in an op-ed for The Washington Post in 2018, which he claimed harmed his career. Following the allegations, the actor was fired from the Fantastic Beasts trilogy and barred from reprising his most well-known role as Captain Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean films.
Following the consequences around his career, Depp chose to sue Heard, demanding $50 million in damages. Heard counter-sued for $100 million, claiming that she was the one who was wronged. The two’s trial immediately became a media circus, with daily coverage as the proceedings were televised. Throughout the trial, both actors experienced highs and lows, but in the end, Depp was given $15 million by a jury judgment, which was later reduced to $10 million, while Heard won $2 million. However, given that the Depp/Heard trial ended only a few months ago, it may come as a surprise that a film about it is already in the works, complete with a cast.
Variety reports that the free streaming provider Tubi has accelerated the production of Hot Take: The Depp/Heard Trial. Sara Lohman, who previously directed the made-for-TV films The Reunion and Secrets in the Woods, directs the film. Guy Nicolucci of The Daily Show wrote the script. Mark Hapka plays Depp, Megan Davis plays Heard, Melissa Marty plays Depp’s lawyer Camille Vasquez, and Mary Carrig plays Heard’s attorney Elaine Bredehoft in Hot Take. Surprisingly, the film will be released this month, on September 30. While that seems like a speedy turnaround, Tubi’s chief content officer claimed that the film was made rapidly “to capture a timely take on a topic that became part of the cultural zeitgeist, offering a unique picture of what millions witnessed play out in the headlines over the summer.”
For better or worse, the Depp and Heard trial was one of the summer’s greatest news stories, sparking several opinions and questionable replies. Because of its fame, it seemed inevitable that it would be adapted into a film. The rapidity with which it was created, on the other hand, is certain to raise more than a few eyebrows. Because so little time has elapsed, the dust has not yet settled. As a result, it’s possible that Hot Take will provide a pretty superficial version of the trial, with no new insight into what transpired.
Hot Take is sure to pull in interested viewers, given that Tubi is a free streaming service and the strong focus surrounding the Depp/Heard trial. However, given the film’s rapid turnaround, it may be considered a made-for-TV film similar to those produced by Lifetime or Hallmark. Even so, many people may tune in when Hot Take: The Depp/Heard Trial is released on Tubi.
Source: Variety