Johnny Depp 'still attached' to star in sex scandal movie directed by Brett Ratner despite bitter divorce and abuse allegations

By Rachel Mcgrath For Dailymail.com

Published: 23:36 EST, 9 June 2016 | Updated: 05:04 EST, 10 June 2016

Johnny Depp, whose Hollywood career and personal life have been rocked by his acrimonious split from wife Amber Heard, is still set to star in a movie about a sex scandal.

PageSix.com reported Thursday that director Brett Ratner is moving forward with a film version of the Dominique Strauss-Kahn affair with Depp in the leading role.

His project The Libertine is set to star the Pirates of The Caribbean star as a politician accused of sexual assault and Ratner is sticking by his choice of lead despite the controversy surrounding the actor's divorce.

Still in demand: Reports Thursday claimed Johnny Depp, pictured in Hollywood May 23, is 'still attached' to play the lead in Brett Ratner's upcoming movie The Libertine, about a politician's sex scandal

Still in demand: Reports Thursday claimed Johnny Depp, pictured in Hollywood May 23, is 'still attached' to play the lead in Brett Ratner's upcoming movie The Libertine, about a politician's sex scandal

In a bizarre coincidence, The Libertine is also the title of a 2004 period drama in which Depp starred as the debauched 17th century poet John Wilmot, Earl of Rochester.

Ratner announced plans for his big screen project at the Cannes Film Festival on May 11. 

The plot is 'loosely based' on the 2011 scandal in which criminal charges were filed and ultimately dropped against French politician and then head of the International Monetary Fund Strauss-Kahn relating to a claim of sexual assault by a hotel maid in New York.

DSK, as he styles himself, settled a civil suit with the maid for an undisclosed amount.

See Johnny Depp updates as he's 'still attached' to star in Brett Ratner's sex scandal movie

Upcoming project: Ratner, pictured in Cannes last month with Salma Hayek's husband Francois-Henri Pinault, announced he plans to make the film 'loosely based' on the 2011 scandal involving Dominique Strauss-Kahn

Upcoming project: Ratner, pictured in Cannes last month with Salma Hayek's husband Francois-Henri Pinault, announced he plans to make the film 'loosely based' on the 2011 scandal involving Dominique Strauss-Kahn

'Loosely based': Strauss-Kahn, a French politician and then head of the International Monetary Fund, was accused of sexual assault by a New York hotel maid. In 2011, charges were dropped and he reached a civil settlement with the maid

'Loosely based': Strauss-Kahn, a French politician and then head of the International Monetary Fund, was accused of sexual assault by a New York hotel maid. In 2011, charges were dropped and he reached a civil settlement with the maid

It had been suggested in industry circles that to continue with Depp in the light of his estranged wife's allegations of domestic abuse would be problematic for Ratner and his movie.

Depp has denied the abuse allegations though his attorney Laura Wasser. 

And a rep for Ratner told Pagesix.com that the project remains 'in active development' with Depp still attached.  

Also on Thursday it emerged that the Hollywood star who is worth an estimated $400 million is selling part of his collection of Jean-Michel Basquiat paintings.

Auction house Christie's announced in a press release that Depp would be selling nine works of art by the renowned artist in London later this month.

Scandal: Hollywood has been rocked by Amber Heard's decision to file for divorce from Depp after 15 months of marriage claiming domestic abuse. The actress, pictured with the actor last September, was granted a restraining order against her estranged husband

Scandal: Hollywood has been rocked by Amber Heard's decision to file for divorce from Depp after 15 months of marriage claiming domestic abuse. The actress, pictured with the actor last September, was granted a restraining order against her estranged husband

Depp and Heard were married in 2014 and she filed papers asking for a divorce in May after 15 months of marriage. 

The couple did not have a prenuptial agreement which entitles her to half the money he made over the course of their relationship, which looks to be somewhere between $20 and $30million. 

Heard, 30, had also asked a judge for spousal support and her legal fees to be covered during the divorce, but that was rejected by the court. 

Depp, who turned 53 on Thursday, has been overseas touring with his band Hollywood Vampires.

The estranged couple is due back in court later this month and Heard has been granted a temporary restraining order against Depp. 

Ironically, Depp has already starred in a film called The Libertine. In 2004, he played  the drunken and debauched 17th century poet and Earl of Rochester John Wilmot. He's pictured with co-star Rosamund Pike

Ironically, Depp has already starred in a film called The Libertine. In 2004, he played  the drunken and debauched 17th century poet and Earl of Rochester John Wilmot. He's pictured with co-star Rosamund Pike

 

 

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