Film worker suing Johnny Depp for ‘PUNCHING him’ slams Amber Heard verdict as ‘Hollywood celebs in a toxic relationship’

A MOVIE location manager who accuses Johnny Depp of punching him on set says he looks forward to his day in court despite the actor’s win in his libel case against ex-wife Amber Heard. 

Gregg “Rocky” Brooks is suing Depp, 58, for the incident he alleges took place in April 2017 while they worked together. 

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The 61-year-old movie worker filed a lawsuit in LA in July 2018 accusing the star of “inflicting emotional distress” on him after punching him twice in the rib cage. 

Following Depp’s win in his libel case against Aquaman actress Heard, 36, Brooks’ lawyer Pat Harris exclusively told The Sun: “While we respect the jury’s decision, it has no relevance to Mr. Brooks’ case in Los Angeles.  

“Brooks’ case is not about two Hollywood celebrities involved in a toxic relationship.  

“It is about the assault of a hard-working film crew member by the star of the production. 

“Mr. Brooks looks forward to his day in court.”

In his suit, Brooks claims Depp had hired two friends for a scene they were shooting in Downtown LA for City of Lies, a movie about the murder of rapper Biggie Smalls. 

He says the scene wasn’t working out and he told the director and then Depp that they only had one more shot at it. 

Brooks alleges the actor reacted with volatility and despite Rocky’s attempt to get to an LAPD officer for protection, Depp attacked him and screamed: “Who the f*** are you? You have no right to tell me what to do.”

Brooks says he did not react when he was punched twice in the rib cage and claims that Depp shouted: “I will give you $100,000 to punch me in the face right now.”

The suit claims that Depp continued his tirade before his bodyguards removed him from the area and that his breath reeked of alcohol during the altercation. 

In his response to the lawsuit, Depp claimed Brooks sustained injuries due to “self-defense/defense of others”. 

He also claimed Brooks “provoked” the actions that caused his injuries.  

Brooks is seeking unspecified damages.  

LIBEL BATTLE

The statement from his lawyer comes after Pirates of the Caribbean star Depp won his libel battle against ex-wife Heard on Wednesday. 

The jury in Fairfax, Virginia, found that Heard had defamed him with malice and awarded him $15m, which is split into $10m in compensatory damages and $5m (£4m) in punitive damages.

But punitive damages in the state of Virginia are capped at $350,000, meaning he will only get $10.35m.

Heard was also awarded $2m in her countersuit against Depp over claims his lawyer made about her to the media that she said were defamatory. 

Depp did not show up to hear the jury’s verdicts on the third day of deliberations following a six-week trial.

SIX-WEEK TRIAL

He had been in London earlier in the week playing guitar on stage at the Royal Albert Hall with rock legend Jeff Beck. 

But in a statement, he said: “The jury gave me back my life”

Heard said after the verdict that she was disappointed beyond words and the verdict was a setback for women.

Depp was suing Heard for $50m over an article she wrote for the Washington Post in which she described herself as a victim of domestic abuse. 

Although it did not mention Depp by name, he said it ruined his career and reputation.

Heard countersued Depp for $100m over statements his attorney Adam Waldman made about her. 

The televised legal battle which gripped audiences in the US and around the world was the second time the former Hollywood power couple squared off in court. 

In 2020, Depp lost a libel case when a High Court judge in London ruled The Sun did not commit libel when referring to the actor as a “wife-beater”. 

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