Johnny Depp is being sued for allegedly punching a film crew member during the filming of City of Lies in Los Angeles.
The crew member says Depp punched him twice on the ribs and was then offered $100,000 to punch back. He claims he was fired from production when he refused to promise not to sue over the altercation.
In City of Lies, Depp plays a Los Angeles police detective who's been trying to solve the murder of rapper Biggie Smalls, more commonly known as Notorious B.I.G.
Johnny Depp Reportedly Punched A Film Crew Member Twice
Per Associated Press: Location manager Greg "Rocky" Brooks alleges that in April last year, when the film was shooting around the Barclay Hotel in downtown Los Angeles, he told director Brad Furman that a forthcoming scene with Depp would be the last outdoor shot of the night because of legal permits. Furman then forced Brooks to tell Depp shooting had to end. Brooks claims he was looking for the set security but Depp found him first.
Depp was intoxicated, the lawsuit states. Then he yelled obscenities at Brooks before "angrily and forcefully" punching him twice in the rib cage. Afterward, he said: "I will give you one hundred thousand dollars to punch me in the face right now!" Depp's bodyguards then pulled him away.
The following Monday, Brooks returned to work and was asked to sign a document saying he wouldn't sue. When he refused, production fired him right then and there.
Johnny Depp's Lawsuits
Aside from this lawsuit, Page Six reports that Depp is also facing a lawsuit from two former bodyguards who claim the actor didn't compensate them properly for their work, and that he put them in "toxic" situations. What's more, according to Variety, Depp is involved in yet another lawsuit where he's suing his former business manager for $25 million allegedly over "gross misconduct."
A while back, Depp also made headlines for his divorce with actress Amber Heard, with reports claiming Depp battered Heard during their relationship. Later, at the finalization of their divorce, the couple released a joint statement saying their relationship, while volatile, was always "bound by love."
Depp has yet to comment on the new allegations. His image thus far isn't looking good, however. As a result of the abuse allegations, some Harry Potter fans have said they plan to boycott the upcoming film Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, in which Depp will reprise his role as Grindelwald.
