By Jan Wolfe

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) –Lawyers for Hollywood actor Johnny Depp gave a Tuesday overview to a jury of the U.S. case against Amber Heard. This is the latest chapter in a long-running legal battle between these Hollywood stars.

In a Virginia courtroom, opening statements were made in the context of a case Depp (58) brought against Heard (35) for $50M in 2018.

Depp says Heard defamed Depp when she published a Washington Post article in December 2018 about her experience as a victim of domestic abuse.

Although Depp was not mentioned in the op-ed, Benjamin Chew, Depp’s lawyer told jurors Tuesday that Heard clearly referred to the Hollywood star man.

Chew said Heard’s op-ed, published on the eve of her box office debut in “Aquaman,” “falsely and unfairly cast Mr. Depp as a villain — a man who would abuse a woman.”

“For nearly 30 years, Mr. Depp built a reputation as one of the most talented actors in Hollywood — a respected artist whose name was associated with success at the box office,” Chew said. His name today is synonymous with a lie.”

Heard lawyer Ben Rottenborn said that Depp had tried to distract and mislead the jury by presenting “crazy conspiracy theories”.

Rottenborn stated that the matter is whether Heard’s opinion piece was protected speech.

Rottenborn stated to jurors, “That’s the question. That is what you are being asked.”

Rottenborn explained that “Mr. Depp’s team will try this case as a soap opera.” “Why? “Why? Depp.”

The trial is being overseen by a Fairfax County judge, Virginia. It could take six weeks. On Monday, a jury was elected.

The U.S. trial comes less than two years after Depp lost a libel case against The Sun, a British tabloid that labeled him a “wife beater.” Heard had been repeatedly assaulted and threatened with her life by a London High court judge.

Depp, Heard and other witnesses were both listed in the U.S. case.

Heard’s list includes her ex-boyfriend and Tesla (NASDAQ:) Chief Executive Elon Musk, who she texted with about Depp. James Franco, actor is also on the list.

Depp would like jurors find Heard knewly made false claims.

Heard for her part will claim that she told the truth, and that she is protected, or “immune,” because she wrote an op-ed in 2018 on domestic violence that addressed a concern of public concern.

“I never named him. Instead, I spoke out about the costs women face for criticizing men in power. Heard stated that while I still pay the price but hoped to move forward when this case was resolved, Johnny could also.” Heard made the statement in a Saturday release.

The Washington Post is not being represented in this trial. Depp’s lawyers have said they filed the case in Fairfax County, outside the District of Columbia, because the newspaper is printed at a facility there. Heard tried unsuccessfully to transfer the case from Fairfax County to Los Angeles where Depp and she lived.

It is not an easy place for plaintiffs of libel, especially public figures, like Depp. There are many obstacles in Depp’s Virginia case. Depp must show that Heard knew of the false claims.

Depp and Heard met while making “The Rum Diary” in 2011 and married four years later. Heard filed for divorce from Depp in 2016 and accused him of domestic abuse.

Heard is well-known for her roles as Aquaman and Justice League. Depp has been sued by Heard for libel. She claimed that he called her a liar and smeared her.

Heard’s counterclaim is to be considered as part of the trial. This could take up to six weeks. According to court documents, Heard seeks $100 million damages from Depp.

In her evidence to the London High Court, Heard said Depp would turn into a jealous alter ego, “the monster”, after binging on drugs and alcohol and had threatened to kill her.

The actor had allegedly choked, punched her, kicked, headbutted, choked, punched and slapped her 14 times. These accounts were all accepted as truth by the London judge.

Following the November 2020 ruling in the London libel trial, Depp was replaced with Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen in the third film in the “Fantastic Beasts” franchise, a spin-off from the “Harry Potter” books and films.