Johnny Depp 'absolutely' still starring in sexual assault case film despite Amber Heard violence accusations

Depp is set to play a French politician accused of assaulting a hotel maid in The Libertine

Johnny Depp and his estranged wife Amber Heard, who has filed for divorce and accused him of domestic abuse (AAP/Reuters)

Johnny Depp is reportedly going ahead with plans to play a politician accused of sexual assault despite domestic violence allegations from his estranged actress wife Amber Heard.

The 53-year-old actor is set to star in The Libertine, a film “loosely based” on the case of French politician Dominique Strauss-Kahn, who was accused of sexually assaulting a hotel maid in 2011. Charges were later dropped, with Stauss-Kahn settling a civil suit with the maid for an unknown sum.

Director Bret Ratner has confirmed Depp’s involvement despite reports suggesting that the Oscar nominee had pulled out in the midst of his personal troubles.

The New York Post had cited a source as saying that Depp had been forced to drop out of The Libertine because “everybody agreed it would be impossible” in light of the abuse allegations against him.

However, Ratner’s representative told People magazine that Depp “absolutely still attached” and “Brett is very excited to work with him.” Ratner revealed that The Libertine is in development at the Cannes Film Festival in May.

Heard filed for divorce from Depp last month, citing “irreconcilable differences”. Heard claims that Depp was “verbally and physically abusive” throughout their 18-month marriage. Depp is yet to comment on the accusations but has strongly denied them through his lawyer. His latest movie, Alice Through the Looking Glass, flopped at the box office.