If you spent the last ten years on a desert island and just re-entered civilization, welcome back! Now, I hope you're sitting down, because I've got some shocking news. Donald Trump is president, Jimmy from DeGrassi is the most popular rapper in the world, and Johnny Depp is not nearly as cool as he used to be.
The 55-year-old actor still headlines blockbuster movies, like the Harry Potter-spinoff franchise, Fantastic Beasts. However, his personal life has been troubled, to say the least. His ex-wife Amber Heard accused him of domestic abuse, and in his latest photos, he looks pale and emaciated, raising conerns about his health. As a result of the attention, Depp cancelled all public appearances, despite starring in five upcoming films.
Good thing those public appearances are cancelled, because today the Pirates of the Caribbean actor received more bad news. Gregg 'Rocky' Brooks, a location manager for the film City of Lies, is suing Depp for allegedly punching him during a drunken tirade about permit restrictions.
City of Lies is a thriller about L.A.P.D. detective Russell Poole, who's investigating the unsolved murders of rappers The Notorious B.I.G. and 2pac Shakur. According to Brooks, the incident occurred outside the Barclay Hotel in Los Angeles on April 13, 2017. The original permit allowed the cast and crew to shoot until 7pm outside the hotel and 10pm inside the hotel.
Brooks says Johnny Depp wanted to shoot later, so he worked with the permit official to extend the deadline, but they had to be out of the building by 11pm. When it came to wrap it up, the director, Brad Furman, allegedly replied to Brooks, "Why don’t you tell that to Johnny Depp?"
Variety summarizes the alleged altercation as follows:
"Brooks alleges that he went to get an on-set police officer to help him break the news to Depp, but that before he could do so, Depp accosted him, yelling, 'Who the f— are you? You have no right to tell me what to do!'
"Brooks tried to explain that as location manager, he had to make sure the production was in compliance with city permits. Depp allegedly answered, 'I don’t give a f— who you are and you can’t tell me what to do!'
"While screaming at Brooks, Depp allegedly punched him twice in the lower left side of his rib cage. Depp allegedly yelled, 'I will give you $100,000 to punch me in the face right now!' Depp’s bodyguards had to intercede to keep him away from Brooks, according to the suit. Brooks alleges he could smell alcohol on Depp’s breath."
The location manager claims Depp was so belligerent he had to be removed from the set by his bodyguards. He also alleges that he was fired from the production three days later, as a result of his incident. In his complaint, Brooks states that he "suffered pain, severe humiliation, mental anguish, and emotional and physical distress, and has been injured in mind and body." He is suing for undisclosed amount.
In May, director Brad Furman issued a statement Page Six, calling the alleged incident "exaggerated." He described Depp as "a consummate professional, great collaborator and a supporter of other artists." Furman continued, "He always treats the crew and people around him with the utmost respect. ... Movies can be stressful, and nonevents often become exaggerated."
Well, we'll see what they decide in court. If this Johnny Depp news is a bummer, and you want to head back to the desert island, I don't blame you.
