Johnny Depp Has Dropped Out Of The Next “Fantastic Beasts” Film

November 6, 2020 / Posted by:

Are you an actor who needs a job? Are you familiar with the world of Harry Potter? Do you want a job where you might get to kiss Jude Law? Of course, who wouldn’t! But in this case, you have got to do it while also saying made-up wizard sounding words, and flip a magic wand around. If that all sounds good, then get your agent to forward your headshot and resume to the casting offices at Warner Bros., because Johnny Depp has stepped down from his role as Gellert Grindelwald in the third Fantastic Beasts film.

Johnny was cast as the dark wizard and Dumbledore’s sometimes wand handler for the first and second Fantastic Beasts films, 2016’s Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, and 2018’s Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. Johnny appeared only for a few quick seconds at the end of the first film, and his appearance in the second caused a bit of controversy online. That’s because a whole lot of people didn’t think it was so cute to center a whole movie around a guy who was being accused of domestic abuse by his ex-wife, Amber Heard. Johnny remained in the second film, a choice which Fantastic Beasts creator JK Rowling was forced to defend.

Warner Bros. probably didn’t love that their name was popping up so much in the same sentences about Johnny fighting his ex-wife in court over allegations that he’s a real-life beast. It was reported last year that Warner Bros. was worried that those domestic abuse allegations would be a publicity nightmare for the third Fantastic Beasts film. And it became worse after Johnny Depp lost his libel suit against The Sun over them calling him a wife-beater. Today, Warner Bros. issued a statement saying that Johnny is no longer part of the Fantastic Beasts franchise, via Variety:

“Johnny Depp will depart the Fantastic Beasts franchise. We thank Johnny for his work on the films to date. Fantastic Beasts 3 is currently in production, and the role of Gellert Grindelwald will be recast. The film will debut in theaters worldwide in the summer of 2022.”

Johnny Depp confirmed the news on Instagram, saying that the Sorting Hat informed him that he’s out of a job. And Johnny maintains he’s an innocent man who will one day clear his name from the allegations against him.

“Finally, I wish to say this. The surreal judgement of the court in the U.K. will not change my fight to tell the truth and I confirm that I plan to appeal. My resolve remains strong and I intend to prove that the allegations against me are false. My life and career will not be defined by this moment in time.”

I guess this means he no longer needs that delay on his defamation trial against Amber?

It will be interesting to see how this third movie approaches the fact that there’s a completely different actor playing Grindelwald. Especially since he’s kind of a big part of the story. They can’t just act like Grindelwald decided to take a vacation to a Muggle island, and left his Patronus in charge. Grindelwald has bleached hair and a moustache, which is easy enough to replicate. As for the rest, I suppose the new actor could casually mention a few minutes into the film that he no longer mumbles like a drunk sailor, due to wizarding elocution lessons, and that surprising pleasant smell is due to regular bathing.

Pic: Wenn.com

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