AceShowbiz - Johnny Depp has asked a judge to dismiss an assault lawsuit against him, insisting he acted in self defence.

The Pirates of the Caribbean star was sued last month by location manager Gregg Brooks, who accused the actor of assault and battery on the set of City of Lies in April, 2017.

Brooks claimed Depp lashed out at him after revealing a night shoot was running late. Director Brad Furman and producers Miriam Segal, Good Film Productions and Depp's Infinitum Nihil have also been named as defendants. Brooks is seeking damages for a hostile work environment and wrongful termination.

However, according to The Blast, the 55 year old is now claiming he "feared for his safety" during the alleged incident. He also claims Furman's safety was in question and he acted in his own defence and the "defense of others."

Depp wants the lawsuit dismissed.

News of Johnny's claims comes weeks after the movie, about the investigation into the death of rapper The Notorious B.I.G., was pulled from the U.S. release schedule. The film was set to hit cinemas on 7 September, but a spokesperson for distributor Global Road Entertainment told Variety earlier this month that there is now no confirmed release date.

City of Lies is based on Randall Sullivan's 2002 book LAbyrinth, which chronicles the investigations into the deaths of rappers Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G. (aka Biggie Smalls), who were both murdered in drive-by shootings in 1996 and 1997, respectively.

Depp plays detective Russell Poole in the film, while Forest Whitaker portrays journalist Jack Jackson, who probed allegations that the officials at the Los Angeles Police Department were involved in a conspiracy related to the killing.