ABC/Randy Holmes(LOS ANGELES) — Johnny Depp is being sued for allegedly punching a crew member on the Los Angeles set of his upcoming film City of Lights, about the murders of rappers Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G.
The lawsuit, filed Friday in Los Angeles County Superior Court and obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, alleges that while shooting the film last year, Depp became angry at location manager Greg “Rocky” Brooks when Brooks told him they only had time for one more shot before their legal permits to shoot expired and they had to stop production for the night.
Brooks then claims he sought the help of an off-duty police officer serving as security when Depp, smelling of alcohol and appearing intoxicated, followed him and allegedly punched him twice in the ribs.
Brooks then claims that Depp said he’d give him “$100,000 to punch me in the face right now” after Brooks didn’t react to the punches, and that Depp was eventually removed from set by his bodyguards.
The lawsuit also accuses the film’s director, Brad Furman, of forcing Brooks to go beyond his duties in telling Depp himself that shooting had to end.
Brooks goes on to say that when he returned to work the following Monday, he was asked by a producer to write and sign a declaration saying he wouldn’t sue over the incident, and was fired on the spot when he refused.
Brooks is also suing the Furman and the film’s producers for unspecified damages.
This is the latest in a number of setbacks for Depp, who’s seen a career downturn with several box-office flops in recent years, as well as a long court battle with his former money managers and a bitter divorce from wife Amber Heard.
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