The breakdown of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s relationship was in the news for years, with their defamation case being broadcast across T.V. in 2022 for the world to see.
Though the dust seems to have settled – at least the legal issues are over – that doesn’t mean jokes about the Depp-Heard situation are in good taste, and it appears Ryan Gosling is finding it out the hard way.
Some People Think Ryan’s New Movie Should Be Canceled
Critics are slamming Gosling’s upcoming action comedy, The Fall Guy, for a controversial “joke” referencing the former couple’s turbulent relationship. Despite the movie only hitting theaters today, early viewers at advanced screenings were dismayed by a particular line in the film, which they argue trivializes domestic violence.
In the scene causing uproar, actresses Emily Blunt and Hannah Waddingham play the roles of a director and movie producer, respectively. The contentious moment unfolds as the two characters enter an actor’s trailer, finding it in a state of disarray.
While surveying the wreckage, Waddingham’s character quips, “It’s like Amber and Johnny were just in here.”
Gosling’s Movie May Trivialize Domestic Violence
Unimpressed viewers took to social media to express disappointment with the line, Radar Online notes. “Hearing about the Amber Heard joke in The Fall Guy has just completely obliterated any interest I had in seeing it, even for Gosling in another comedic role,” one person tweeted.
“I’m so disappointed in Hannah for saying the line. I get it’s a character, but I always held her in such high regard so this is unfortunate to hear,” another said on X (formerly Twitter).
There are even calls to boycott the film, with one person writing, “So the fall guys (starring ryan gosling and emily blunt) has a joke where they make fun of the abuse amber heard suffered while she dated johnny depp. boycott this flop movie.”
Heard and Depp tied the knot in 2015 but parted ways a mere 15 months later amid a variety of accusations, which both parties accusing the other of abuse.
Despite divorcing, their tumultuous relationship resurfaced in 2019 when Depp sued his former spouse for defamation following a 2018 Washington Post article she penned about domestic violence. Although the Aquaman star didn’t explicitly mention Depp in the piece, she detailed the alleged abuse she endured from childhood into adulthood.
Depp then filed a $50 million defamation lawsuit against Amber, prompting her to counter with a $100 million lawsuit. The legal battle culminated in a highly publicized trial that gripped and polarized audiences.
Ultimately, the jury ruled in favor of Depp, awarding him $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages. Additionally, they found Johnny guilty of defaming his ex on one count, ordering him to pay Amber $2 million in compensatory damages.
For now, Gosling hasn’t responded to the controversy over his new movie – none of the actors have, in fact. But amid reports that Ryan is looking to take time off acting to focus on his family, this could be one of the last movies fans see him in for a while.
