Since starring as Captain Jack Sparrow with the release of Disney’sPirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl,Johnny Depp has been credited as a major part of the franchise’s success in the ensuing years. However, court testimony in the United Kingdom alleges that Depp’s drug-induced antics during production on the fifthPirates of the Caribbeanfilm resulted in the actor sustaining an injury that cost Disney a lot of money.
Production onPirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Talestook placein Australia with a budget between $230-$320 million. At the time, Depp had reportedly been receiving $40 million fromeach entry in the film seriesafter profit participation, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
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Testimony provided during the U.K. court case covering Depp’slibel case against British tabloid The Sunreveals the actor consumed eight ecstasy pills one night during production on the fifthPiratesfilm, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The actor reportedly embarked on what the outlet describes as a “campaign of terror” against his ex-wife Amber Heard that concluded with the tip of his finger being sliced off. Consequently, Depp was flown back to Los Angeles for surgery, forcing Disney to shut down production onDead Men Tell No Talesfor two weeks at a cost of $350,000 per day. Depp claimed his finger injury was the result of Heard throwing a bottle of alcohol at him.
Depp’s libel suit was filed in response to an article The Sun published labeling him a “wife-beater,” based on allegations of physical abuse against Heard. While a judge ruled that the tabloid’s publisher had proven the content of the article to be “substantially true,” Depp has announced his intention to appeal the decision. However, the ruling prompted Warner Bros. to ask forDepp’s resignation from theFantastic Beastsfranchise, where he portrayed the antagonist Grindelwald.
The role of Grindelwald will now be played byHannibalandDoctor Strangestar Mads Mikkelsen. In a recent interview, Mikkelsen acknowledged that finding a balance between honoring Depp’s performance andcrafting his own take on the character will be difficult.
Meanwhile, Disney is planning to move forward with a new incarnation ofPirates of the Caribbeanthat will not be connected to the original films.Birds of PreystarMargot Robbie is set to portray the lead characterand Christina Hodson is on board to pen the screenplay.
