James Franco Will Testify In Amber Heard & Johnny Depp Lawsuit

James Franco has been deposed in Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s lawsuit and will be required testify on whether he knew of or saw any signs of abuse during his interactions with Heard. The news comes just shortly after Franco spoke out about the sexual misconduct allegations against him for the first time since the allegations first came out in 2017. The American actor, best known for his roles in The Disaster Artist, Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy, and The Interview, fell from the public eye in 2017 when five women came forward with sexual misconduct allegations. The allegations came from his former students who alleged he utilized his acting school, Studio 4, to exploit women.

Recently, Franco attempted to make a return to the public by appearing the The Jess Cagle Podcast. In the podcast, he publicly addressed the allegations for the first time and admitted to sleeping with his acting students. He went on to deny the more serious accusations against him and indicated he settled the lawsuit only to bring an easy end to it. Franco’s statement sparked a scathing response from his accusers who slammed him for downplaying his victims’ trauma. Now, he has found himself mixed up with another lawsuit.

As reported by Page Six, Franco has been served a subpoena by Depp’s lawyers requesting him to testify in Depp’s defamation lawsuit against his ex-wife Heard. Depp and Heard’s case stems from domestic abuse allegations that Heard previously made against Depp, which he has vehemently denied. Franco has now entered the mix after footage showed him stepping into an elevator with Heard shortly after a fight with Depp in which she alleged he gave her a black eye. Franco will be quizzed on whether he saw any signs, or had any knowledge, of the alleged abuse.

The subpoena in Depp and Heard’s lawsuit is not particularly good news for Franco, as Depp has accused him of having an affair with Heard, as well. Franco and Heard worked together on Pineapple Express and while it is unknown if such an affair took place, Depp’s lawyers have reason to believe that the two had ample interaction with one another. Franco will be specifically quizzed on whether he noticed any bruises on Heard during their interactions or if she ever spoke to him about the alleged abuse. He will sit for the deposition early next year, with the trial set to take place in April of 2022.

Being called to testify doesn’t mean that there is any wrongdoing on Franco’s part. However, to be caught up in Depp and Heard’s $50 million defamation lawsuit isn’t exactly good publicity. Also, while not a crime, if further details arise over Franco and Heard’s alleged affair, it will likely only further deteriorate the public’s opinion of him. Franco recently settled his own sexual misconduct lawsuit for $2.2 million and it is unlikely he is thrilled to have role in yet another high-profile lawsuit. Putting aside his past controversies, however, Franco’s testimony may play a key role in the lawsuit. If alleged interactions did take place between Franco and Heard, then his knowledge, or lack of knowledge, of any signs of abuse may serve to either prove or disprove Heard’s statement. Franco’s testimony will be particularly intriguing as it has the potential to bring forth relevant evidence in Depp and Heard’s case.

Source: Page Six

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Rachel Ulatowski
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Rachel Ulatowski is a Freelance Movie/TV News Writer for Screen Rant. She works to bring readers the latest news on the shows and movies that are important to them. Rachel especially enjoys writing about celebrity news and sharing the thoughts, struggles, and perspective of some of Hollywood’s biggest stars. In her free time she enjoys reading, writing, and watching anything Marvel, DC, Doctor Who, or Star Wars.

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