EPA/NEIL HALL
It has been over a month since Johnny Depp was sued by a crew member of his film City of Lies, but the actor has finally responded to the suit, saying it was self-defense.
The man, Gregg brooks, asked for damages in his lawsuit, but Depp denies owing Brooks anything since he claims he was “provoked” by Brooks’ “unlawful and wrongful conduct.” Depp claims he feared “for his safety” during the incident. He further explains he “observed” director Brad Furman also “fear for his safety” at the time.
“Despite false media reports suggesting otherwise, Johnny Depp never touched the person suing him, as over a dozen witnesses present will attest. In a court filing we have generally denied all claims and we will fight these latest sham allegations,” Depp’s attorney said.
Brooks, a location manager for the film, claimed that the whole incident occurred on April 13, 2017 when Depp became enraged after Brooks told him they could only do one more shot of a scene after many failed attempts. Brooks claimed that as Depp became more angry he ended up punching him twice in the ribs while yelling, “Who the f— are you? You have no right to tell me what to do.”
After Depp hit him, Brooks says that Depp then said he would give him “$100,000 to punch me in the face right now” and Brooks refused to engage in the fight. He added that Depp eventually had to be removed from the set by bodyguards, and claims that Depp reeked of alcohol during the altercation and while filming.
Brooks also said he was later fired from the film because he refused to sign a release that waived his rights to sue. As a result of the alleged incident, Brooks says in the complaint that he “suffered pain, severe humiliation, mental anguish, and emotional and physical distress, and has been injured in mind and body.”
Although the film was supposed to be released in September, the studio recently pulled the date and has not rescheduled a premiere.