Johnny Depp Wishes For “A Better Time Ahead” After “Hard” 2020 In Holiday Message To Fans

Johnny Depp, who last month lost his high-profile label case against British newspaper The Sun over an article that called him a “wife beater,” posted a holiday message to his fans on Instagram Saturday.

“This year has been so hard for so many,” the Pirates of the Caribbean wrote. “Here’s to a better time ahead.”

More from Deadline

• Johnny Depp Heads To UK Court Of Appeal In Bid To Overturn Momentous "Wife Beater" Libel Ruling

• Petition To Ax Amber Heard From 'Aquaman 2' Receives Upwards 1.5M Signatures Following Johnny Depp's 'Fantastic Beasts' Departure

• Mads Mikkelsen To Replace Johnny Depp In 'Fantastic Beasts' As Warner Bros Confirms Casting - Update

While Depp likely refers to the devastating coronavirus pandemic, which has taken the lives of 1.8 million people worldwide, 2020 has been difficult for him too, both personally and professionally, with his career in jeopardy. Shortly after a High Court court ruled against the actor, he also lost his starring role in Warner Bros.’ Fantastic Beasts movie franchise.

But earlier this month, Depp turned to the UK Court Of Appeal in a bid to overturn the verdict.

Depp wrote his holiday message next to a black-and-white photo with Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan on the set of the documentary Crock of Gold, which Depp produced. It was the first time Depp addressed his fans directly since he announced last month that he had “been asked to resign by Warner Bros.” from his role as Grindelwald in Fantastic Beasts.

Best of Deadline

• U.S. Coronavirus Update: California Overtakes Texas As Most Infected State In Nation As America Reaches 15M Cases

• Coronavirus: Movies That Have Halted Or Delayed Production Amid Outbreak

• Hong Kong Filmart Postponed Due To Coronavirus Fears; Event Moves Two Weeks Before Toronto

Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.