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’

Actor Paul Bettany recently addressed public misconceptions regarding his friendship with Johnny Depp during an interview with The Times. Bettany stated that he and Depp had not spoken for several years by the time their private text messages were introduced as evidence during Depp’s libel trial.

The disclosure highlights the discrepancy between the public narrative surrounding the trial and the reality of the actors' personal relationship. Bettany expressed discomfort with how he was characterized during the legal proceedings, noting that the media portrayal of him as a close confidant did not reflect their actual level of contact at the time.