{
  "id": 15275474,
  "title": "Paul Bettany Says He and Johnny Depp ‘Hadn’t Spoken’ in Years When Their Texts Were Read During Libel Trial: ‘I Was Being Painted As This Close Friend’",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/paul-bettany-says-he-and-johnny-depp-hadnt-spoken-in-years-when-their",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-17T20:48:39.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Variety",
    "slug": "variety",
    "url": "https://variety.com/2026/film/news/paul-bettany-johnny-depp-hadnt-spoken-in-years-libel-trial-1236915108/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "Paul Bettany has addressed the public misconception regarding his relationship with Johnny Depp following the use of their text messages during Depp's 2020 libel lawsuit against The Sun. Speaking to The Times, Bettany stated that he had not spoken to Depp in years when the messages were presented in court and has not spoken to him since.\n\nBettany told The Times that he felt he was being misrepresented as a close friend of the actor. According to TheWrap, Bettany previously told The Independent that having his emails and texts from a 10-year period scrutinized created an \"unpleasant feeling.\" Bettany explained to The Times that he chose to remain silent during the trial because he believed people knew his character.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "TheWrap",
        "title": "Paul Bettany Says He Was Misrepresented as Johnny Depp’s ‘Close Friend’ During Amber Heard Trial: ‘Haven’t Spoken to Him Since’",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/paul-bettany-says-he-was-misrepresented-as-johnny-depps-close-friend",
        "published": "2026-10-17T00:27:37.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}