Johnny Depp has been forced to resign from the upcoming sequel to “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”…
Johnny Depp has been fired from his role in the “Harry Potter” spinoff franchise “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.”
Depp previously appeared in the first two films in the series as dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald and he was supposed to star in the third film as well until Warner Bros. asked him to resign from the movie. Depp initially announced the news via Instagram.
“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,” Depp wrote.
The news comes on the heels of Depp’s lawsuit against a U.K. newspaper was dismissed by a judge after he was called a “wife beater” in a story regarding his volatile relationship with ex Amber Heard. The judge in the case ruled that the allegations were “substantially true” while dismissing the lawsuit.
Depp has promised to file an appeal.
The role of Grindelwald will be recast for the upcoming “Fantastic Beasts” movie, which was originally scheduled for release on Nov. 12, 2021. The film is now being pushed back until sometime in the summer of 2022.
While the first “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Film” delivered solid returns at the box office as well as with reviewers, the sequel “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald” didn’t fare as well. The movie grossed almost $200 million less at the box office with less than favorable reviews.
Initially, the “Fantastic Beasts” series was planned as a trilogy but it was later expanded to five films with “Harry Potter” creator JK Rowling on board to write the screenplays for all of the films. Of course, Rowling landed in her own hot water after the author made numerous transphobic remarks on social media, which has led to many fans of the franchise asking her to step away from the movies as well.
It obviously doesn’t sound like Warner Bros. plans on severing ties with Rowling despite her comments. Depp, however, is now gone with the role of Grindelwald being recast before the new “Fantastic Beasts” movie goes into production.
