Throwback to the surprising alpaca moment that caught everyone off guard in Johnny Depp’s trial

Johnny Depp's defamation trial against his ex-wife Amber Heard in 2022 made headlines for a number of reasons. Every aspect of the trial received significant media coverage, including Depp's fans waiting outside the courthouse with alpacas to support their favorite star.

The legal dispute began in February 2019, when Depp filed a defamation lawsuit against Heard for $50 million. He claimed that the latter's 2018 op-ed in The Washington Post, which alluded to him as a se*ual abuser without naming him directly, destroyed his reputation and career. In response, Heard countersued Depp for $100 million.

The trial took place in the Fairfax County courthouse in Virginia between April 11, 2022, and June 1, 2022. In the end, the jury ruled in favor of Depp and awarded him $15 million in damages, while Heard was awarded $2 million in damages.

---

What is Johnny Depp's connection to the alpacas?

Johnny Depp seen waving to fans outside the courthouse (Image via Getty)

In his defamation lawsuit, Johnny Depp claimed that he lost out on lucrative film projects, like Pirates of the Caribbean 6, due to the domestic abuse allegations levied against him by Heard.

Depp, who played Captain Jack Sparrow in the hugely profitable Pirates of the Caribbean film franchise, was dropped from the sixth film around the time that Heard's op-ed was published in December 2018. He alleged that Disney severed ties with him days after the article was published.

Depp's claims were supported by his former Hollywood agent, Christian Carino. In his videotaped deposition, Carino said that he believed Depp's exit from Pirates of the Caribbean 6 was "related to the accusations that Amber has made."

But Heard’s attorney, Ben Rottenborn, refuted the claims by pointing out that the Daily Mail had confirmed Depp's exit two months earlier in October 2018. To drive home his point, Rottenborn referred to a previous deposition (that was not played in court), in which he had asked Depp regarding his unwillingness to return to the franchise.

"The fact is, Mr. Depp, if Disney came to you with $300 million and a million alpacas, nothing on this earth would get you to go back and work with Disney on a Pirates of the Caribbean film? Correct?"

Depp confirmed it was indeed true.

In another part of the trial, Heard's attorney, Elaine Bredehoft, asked the Disney executive, Tina Newman, if Depp was approached for the franchise's sixth installment. Newman testified that she had no knowledge of such developments. The attorney then asked:

"Is Disney aware that Mr. Depp has testified under oath that he would not take another Pirates of the Caribbean franchise role for $300 million and a million alpacas?"

To which, Newman responded with a "no." Bredehoft then went on to ask a hypothetical question. She pressed Newman if Disney would consider "paying Mr. Depp more than $300 million and providing him with more than a million alpacas to be able to obtain his services for any future Pirates of the Caribbean role."

As Newman replied with a firm "no" again, Depp was seen laughing with his attorney.

---

Johnny Depp's fans show their support with alpacas

Fans arrive for the defamation trial with alpacas (Image via Getty)

Believing that Johnny Depp has a fondness for alpacas, his fans began showing up outside the courthouse with the woolly mammals in tow. One fan named Andrea Diaz told The Washington Post in April 2022 that she brought the alpacas along to cheer up the Dark Shadows star during the stressful time in his life.

"I thought the alpacas might brighten his day."

Diaz also told the news outlet that she started a business during the COVID-19 pandemic, which involved visiting kids' homes with her alpacas to cheer them up. She hoped to do the same for Johnny Depp by bringing along her two alpacas named Dolce and Inti.

Moreover, Diaz admitted that she was not sure if Depp would spot her or the alpacas among the crowds but wanted to "give it a shot" nonetheless. Fortunately, Depp did notice her and "looked surprised and kind of happy" at seeing the alpacas, noted Diaz. While exiting the court at one point, Depp exclaimed, "It's alpaca day!" in reference to all the alpacas accompanying his fans outside the courthouse.

Furthermore, Johnny Depp's lawyers, Camille Vasquez and Ben Chew, were also seen posing for pictures with the alpacas during the trial.

---

Johnny Depp made his directorial comeback in 2024

Johnny Depp seen with the cast of Modì – Three Days On The Wing Of Madness at the Rome Film Festival in 2024 (Image via Getty)

After the trial ended, Johnny Depp focused on directing the biographical film, Modì, Three Days on the Wing of Madness. The movie is written by Jerzy and Mary Kromolowski and is based on the 1980s play Modigliani by Dennis McIntyre.

The film is set in war-torn Paris in 1916 and follows the troubled Italian artist, Amedeo Modigliani, over a period of three days as he goes through a life-changing experience.

The film's star cast includes Riccardo Scamarcio, Stephen Graham, Al Pacino, Antonia Desplat, Bruno Gouery, Ryan McParland, Luisa Ranieri, Sally Phillips, and Benjamin Lavernhe, among others.

Modì, Three Days on the Wing of Madness premiered in Italy at the Rome Film Festival on October 26, 2024. It was released in theaters in Italy on November 21, 2024. As of this writing, the movie is not slated to release in the United States.

---

Stay tuned for the latest news on the most trending movies and television shows.