As the actor’s defamation case against Amber Heard got underway in the US state of Virginia, a court heard that Johnny Depp was a “obsessed ex-husband hell-bent on retribution.”

Mr Depp had attempted to “destroy” her, according to lawyers for the Aquaman actress, and the scenario was “disturbing, but not surprising.”

The actor, 58, is suing his former partner, actress Heard, for libel over a 2018 essay she published in The Washington Post about her experiences with domestic abuse.

Johnny Depp and the mashed potatoes saga pic.twitter.com/NqFz4APV7F

— Viviana (@xhyuck) April 12, 2022

The report wrongly implies that Ms Heard, 35, was physically and sexually assaulted by Mr Depp throughout their marriage, according to Mr Depp’s lawyers.

He claims that the allegations have made it impossible for him to get the types of assignments he used to get, and he filed a lawsuit for $50 million (£38.2 million) in 2019.

However, Ms Heard’s lawyer, Benjamin Rottenborn, claimed that the actor initiated the lawsuit “rather than face responsibility for his own acts” and that the trial will be turned into a “soap opera.”

“Amber Heard never wanted to offer up to the public who Johnny Depp was, but that is going to come out,” he said, during his opening remarks.

“He wanted to make her life hard, he wanted to ruin her life.

“He wanted to destroy her.

“And that is what he did.

“I wish I could say that it’s surprising.

“It’s disturbing but not surprising.”

“He was an obsessed ex-husband, hellbent on revenge…as his career was in free-fall and her career was talking off.”

“It’s interesting that a story that briefly referenced Amber moving on from Johnny Depp…is the tool that he used to hinder her from moving on, rather than taking responsibility for his own acts,” Mr Rottenborn stated.

Ms Heard’s attorney, Elaine Bredehoft, outlined a number of alleged abuse episodes that were allegedly prompted by “crushing” drug and alcohol problems.

A “drug binge” with Marilyn Manson, his “good friend,” and a “blackout” in Australia, which Ms Heard had previously described as a “three-day hostage situation,” were among them.

Mr Depp’s lawyers, on the other hand, said that Ms Heard’s allegations were baseless and that the actress was “getting ready to provide the performance of a lifetime” during the proceedings.

Mr. Depp’s lawyer, Camille Vasquez, said the actor would “go to his grave knowing that no matter what Johnny does, there will always be people who believe he abused a lady.”

She stated, “Ms Heard took on the role of a lifetime, and she couldn’t back down.”

“For years, she has been living and breathing this lie.

“She’s ready to give a once-in-a-lifetime performance in this trial.”

Hundreds of spectators flocked to the courthouse on Tuesday as the case was officially opened, largely supporters of Mr Depp. Both celebrities are attending the trial in person and are expected to testify.

Mr. Depp was dressed in a dark blue suit with a black shirt and a cream tie, while Ms. Heard was dressed in a grey blazer with her hair in a low bun.

“I stood out against sexual violence – and faced our culture’s anger,” Ms. Heard wrote in a Washington Post story.

“Something has to be done about that.”

Mr. Depp was not mentioned by name.

Because The Washington Post’s online editions are published through servers in Fairfax County, the case is being brought in Virginia rather than California, where the performers live.

Other high-profile celebrities named as witnesses include actors James Franco and Paul Bettany, as well as Tesla CEO Elon Musk.