It seems wherever Johnny Depp goes, big trouble follows. Just a month and a half after [Rolling Stone](https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-features/the-trouble-with-johnny-depp-666010/) published a piece coloring in the grim details of Depp’s financial woes and personal life, it’s been revealed that his upcoming film City of Lies has been pulled from theaters—one month before its September 7 release date, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Global Road Entertainment has not yet released a statement explaining why the thriller was yanked.
In the film, Depp plays an L.A.P.D. detective trying and failing to solve the murders of Tupac and the Notorious B.I.G. The film also stars Forest Whitaker. Like much else on the actor’s slate these days, City of Lies was plagued with behind-the-scenes drama: back in July, it was reported that crew member Gregg “Rocky” Brooks had filed a lawsuit against Depp, alleging that Depp punched him twice in a drunken tirade during filming last April. In the suit, Brooks also claims that Depp “reeked of alcohol“ and took drugs on set, and that Depp verbally assaulted him. After allegedly punching Brooks in the ribs, the suit claims, Depp offered Brooks $100,000 to punch the actor in the face in return. Depp has not yet released a statement about the suit. Representatives for the actor have not yet responded to Vanity Fair’s request for comment.
And this is far from the only legal battle Depp has faced in the past few months. Until recently, the actor was locked in a bitter legal feud with his former business managers—though they eventually settled the $25 million suit in order to avoid a trial, T.H.R. reports. Such a trial would have been a nightmare for Depp, delving into his lost fortune and lavish spending.
The actor is still set to appear in the next Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them film, even though his casting was met with backlash due to allegations that Depp had physically abused his former partner, actress Amber Heard. (Depp has denied the claims, and is now mum on the issue after divorcing and signing a non-disclosure agreement with Heard.) Director David Yates stood by the decision to cast Depp in the series, as did Fantastic Beasts architect J.K. Rowling.
However, now that the movie is inching closer, the studio has remained careful about when and where Depp appears to promote it. At this year’s Comic-Con, Depp skipped the panel discussion, but later appeared in character as Grindelwald to deliver a spooky monologue. Fans cheered him on, an indicator that the actor still has plenty of supporters in his corner. They just won’t be seeing City of Lies as soon as they hoped.
