Johnny Depp officially exits Fantastic Beasts 3, the upcoming entry in Warner Bros' Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them movie franchise. The actor was a late announced addition to the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them cast just prior to the movie's theatrical release in 2016, hinting at a surprise role. Once the movie premiered, it was revealed that Depp would play Gellert Grindelwald, the dark wizard who plagued the Wizarding World prior to the rise of Harry Potter's main antagonist Voldemort. At the end of Fantastic Beasts, Colin Farrell's Percival Graves was revealed to be Grindelwald in disguise.
Depp reprised the role of Grindelwald in 2018's Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, in which he was established as the main antagonist to Warner Bros' prequel film franchise. Based on what was revealed about Grindelwald in the Harry Potter books, the Fantastic Beasts movies were assumed to be building toward the historic duel between the dark wizard and Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law). However, now Depp has exited Fantastic Beasts 3 with the studio confirming he'll be recast.
On Instagram, Depp released a statement revealing he had been "asked to resign by Warner Bros." from the role of Grindelwald in the Fantastic Beasts movies, including the upcoming as-yet-untitled Fantastic Beasts 3. Warner Bros. released a statement as well, per IndieWire, reading, "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." See Depp's full statement below.
In light of recent events, I would like to make the following short statement.
Firstly, I’d like to thank everybody who has gifted me with their support and loyalty.
I have been humbled and moved by your many messages of love and concern, particularly over the last few days.
Secondly, I wish to let you know that I have been asked to resign by Warner Bros. from my role as Grindelwald in Fantastic Beasts and I have respected and agreed to that request.
Finally, I wish to say this.
The surreal judgment 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.
Thank you for reading.
The judgement to which the actor refers in his statement is that of a London judge ruling against Depp in his libel suit against The Sun for calling him a "wife beater" after allegations of domestic abuse were levied against him by Amber Heard. Those allegations were initially made public as part of Heard filing for divorce from Depp in May 2016. It was because of those allegations that many Harry Potter fans protested Depp's casting in Fantastic Beasts, which is part of Warner Bros' family-friendly Wizarding World universe. However, both Warner Bros. and Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling stood by Depp, affirming their confidence in the actor's character and involvement in the Fantastic Beasts franchise.
It's unclear why exactly Warner Bros. asked Depp to resign from Fantastic Beasts 3, but based on his statement, it's implied the studio was prompted based on the recent ruling or the other lawsuits in which Depp is embroiled. While those who have been calling for Depp to be recast as Grindelwald in the Fantastic Beasts franchise may feel some sense of vindication that Warner Bros. is doing just that, the studio's effort is perhaps too little too late. The Harry Potter franchise as a whole has been plagued by a few controversies in recent years, the most recent of which was Rowling's anti-trans comments this summer that received criticism from fans and stars of the movies alike. Rowling serves as a screenwriter on each of the Fantastic Beasts movies, including the upcoming third film. It's unclear if recasting Grindelwald will be enough to win back those who have moved on from Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts as a result of Depp and Rowling, but it is perhaps the best move for the public image of Fantastic Beasts 3 as the film moves forward.
Source: Johnny Depp/Instagram, IndieWire
