Johnny Depp files for delay in defamation case trial to shoot 'Fantastic Beasts 3'

Johnny Depp has filed a request to delay defamation trial against ex-wife Amber Heard. It is because actor has to shoot for his role in Fantastic Beasts 3 in London. Depp is suing Heard for an article she wrote in Washington Post in which she alleges that he was violent towards her. This is a separate trail from ongoing one where Depp is suing publisher of Sun, and hearing is in London.

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Johnny Depp requests delay in trail to shoot 'Fantastic Beasts 3'

According to documents obtained by Hollywood Reporter, Johnny Depp is seeking a delay in defamation trial due to Fantastic Beasts 3 filming. He filed a motion for continuance at Fairfax Country, Virginia, court to push trail between March and June 2021. current dates for trail are from January 11 to January 28, 2021.

However, Warner Bros. Studios is planning to begin principal photography for third Fantastic Beasts film from October in London. process will be finishing by end of February 2021. Johnny Depp will be reprising his character, Gellert Grindelwald, in movie. development was halted due to  COVID-19 pandemic. As actor has made a prior commitment, he is asking for a delay in trial.

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Johnny Depp’s filing states, “When Court set current trial date in this case, Mr. Depp understood that Warner Bros. planned to shoot ‘Fantastic Beasts 3’ in London long before January 11, 2021. COVID-19 disrupted studio’s plans, causing repeated postponements. With conditions in London having improved somewhat, Warner Bros. has w set a shooting schedule that conflicts with trial date in this case”. filing continues, “Mr. Depp would face potential liability for breach of contract should he fail to comply with schedule contractually dictated by Warner Bros. Though Mr. Depp is er to proceed to trial, he faces an untenable situation over which he has control”.

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Production is resuming in United Kingdom as threat of COVID-19 appears to be reduced for time being. Warner Bros. is taking extreme precaution and following guidelines as y plan to resume shooting on multi-starrer project, Fantastic Beasts 3. A hearing on Johnny Depp’s filing will take place on September 11, 2020. Meanwhile, Amber Heard is also expected to reprise her role as Mera in Aquaman 2 and begin filming sometime in 2021.