Johnny Depp to take stand again following Amber Heard cross-examination

Johnny Depp will take the stand again, with sources saying there could be more than 18 hours of bombshell testimony to come from his side.

There’s plenty more left in the jaw-dropping defamation trial brought by Johnny Depp against his ex-wife Amber Heard.

Depp will take the stand again – and there could be more than 18 hours of bombshell testimony to come from his side, a source told the New York Post.

The actor, 58, is expected to be questioned as a rebuttal witness on Wednesday or Thursday following the cross-examination of Heard.

Judge Penney Azcarate, who is presiding over the dramatic Fairfax, Virginia case, gave each side a total of 61 hours and 15 minutes to present their cases.

As of Friday, Heard’s legal team had 8 hours and 14 minutes left, and Depp’s lawyers had 18 hours and 30 minutes left.

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Actor Johnny Depp could be called back to the stand. Picture: Steve Helber/AFP

Amber Heard during the $70 million defamation trial. Picture: Shawn Thew/AFP

Closing arguments in the explosive trial are scheduled for next Friday.

The Aquaman actress’ legal team has also had to weigh up whether calling Depp back to the stand would be a worthwhile move, considering legal experts have pointed out how “likable” he was when he testified the first time around.

“There is a risk that he is going to have more time being likable on the stand,” said civil lawyer Katherine Lizardo, “when it’s actually Amber Heard’s time to present her case.”

She said Depp, who smiled frequently on the stand, appeared to be genuine and had a “very unique personality,” potentially making him appealing to the jury.

The actor’s possible return follows testimony given on Thursday from actress Ellen Barkin, who had a fling with Depp in 1994 – and told the court he was an often-drunk, “jealous man” who once threw a wine bottle in her direction.

Actress Ellen Barkin’s deposition was played for the jury on Thursday, May 19. Picture: Shawn Thew/AFP

The courtroom saga has already been chock-full of stunning moments, with Heard taking the stand to describe Depp’s alleged history of verbally and physically abusing her.

During the trial, she described the first time Depp allegedly hit her and accused him of breaking her nose in a jealous rage. She also testified that she was traumatised when he “shoved his fingers inside” her while tripping on magic mushrooms.

Depp is suing Heard for $US50 million ($A70 million) for claiming in a Washington Post op-ed that she was a victim of domestic violence.

He has previously given testimony claiming that he’s the real victim in the chaotic relationship, and that he brought the suit against her to “clear my name”.

This article originally appeared on the New York Post and was republished with permission