Ex-husbands Amber Heard and Johnny Depp in 2016 -

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“Let justice do its job”.

This is in essence the message from the judge from Fairfax County, Va., To Johnny Depp.

The actor was demanding that Amber Heard 's counterclaim of $ 100 million, formulated in response to his libel suit (for which he is claiming 50 million), be dismissed.

The

Aquaman

star is

indeed attacking her ex-husband, also for defamation, for claiming that she lied when referring to domestic violence - the basis of the initial complaint.

To request the cancellation of Amber Heard's complaint, Johnny Depp referred to the anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) law, recently adopted in the state.

The purpose of this law is to put an end to certain legal actions which prevent the discussion of matters of public interest.

In summary, Johnny Depp wanted justice to consider his words, that Amber Heard had lied to pass for a violent man, as a "point of view", and could not be considered defamation.

Not so fast, Judge Bruce White said, as Deadline relayed.

“Depp and Waldman's (her attorney) comments imply that Miss Heard lied and perjured herself when she appeared in court in 2016 to obtain a temporary restraint order against Mr. Depp.

In addition, they imply that she lied about being the victim of domestic violence.

In light of the #MeToo movement and the current social climate, falsely claiming that she has been abused would certainly damage Miss Heard's reputation in the general public.

Consequently, this Court considers that the statements contain the elements necessary for an action for defamation ”, one can read.

Chain worries

Problems pile up for Johnny Depp since the British court rejected his libel suit against the newspaper

The Sun

.

The UK judge in charge of the case has already dismissed his appeal, but depending on the law of the land, the plaintiff can go directly to the court to hear his complaint.

For the moment, the court of appeal has not ruled, but the damage seems to be done, for the career of the actor and his reputation in any case.

Johnny Depp lost his role in the hit franchise

Fantastic

Beasts, adapted from the universe of JK Rowling.

The situation is complex, but what is certain now is that the first libel lawsuit of Johnny Depp against Amber Heard must be held, after several delays linked to the health situation and the professional situation of the actor, the May 3.

The one regarding the

Aquaman

actress' counterclaim

doesn't yet have a date, but still according to Deadline, it should be held sometime this year.

Cinema

Mads Mikkelsen had no contact with Johnny Depp for his role in "Fantastic Beasts"

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