Many are nevertheless asking why Johnny Depp became recast as Gellert Grindelwald for Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore. Looking back, the Johnny Depp model of Grindelwald became first delivered in a cameo function on the stop of 2016`s Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, earlier than the actor went directly to famous person withinside the sequel, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. WB has lengthy had an bold five-film plan for the franchise, aleven though a aggregate of controversy and terrible container workplace returns for Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald and The Secrets of Dumbledore has on the grounds that thrown this into doubt.
Why Johnny Depp was recast as Grindelwald in Fantastic Beasts 3
Grindelwald is in Fantastic Beasts three, at least, however he isn`t performed through Depp in that film, nor will he be in any follow-ups need to they happen. While as soon as amongst the largest film stars withinside the world, WB`s selection to recast the Johnny Depp Grindelwald individual for Fantastic Beasts three speaks to the numerous controversies and criminal instances surrounding the actor over the latter a part of the 2010s and into the 2020s. In particular, it`s the allegations of home abuse made through his ex-spouse Amber Heard, and the courtroom docket ruling that followed, which noticed Depp go out Fantastic Beasts three and Grindelwald recast. However, Depp`s presence turned into debatable because the franchise`s beginning.
Johnny Depp`s casting as Gellert Grindelwald for Fantastic Beasts 2 become introduced in November 2020, rapidly earlier than the discharge of the primary film withinside the franchise. Even then, there has been a backlash to the Johnny Depp Grindelwald casting. Amber Heard filed for divorce and took out a transient restraining order in opposition to Depp in May 2020, alleging that the Grindelwald actor have been verbally and bodily abusive toward her at some stage in their relationship. Because of the allegations round Depp, there have been many proceedings over his casting withinside the film, to the factor that J.K. Rowling got here out with a announcement protecting the decision.
“Around the time of filming his cameo withinside the first film, tales had regarded withinside the press that deeply involved me and all people maximum carefully worried withinside the franchise. Harry Potter fanatics had valid questions and worries approximately our desire to keep with Johnny Depp withinside the role. As David Yates, lengthy-time Potter director, has already said, we obviously taken into consideration the opportunity of recasting. I recognize why a few were burdened and indignant approximately why that didn`t happen… Based on our knowledge of the circumstances, the filmmakers and I aren’t most effective cushty sticking with our unique casting, however virtually satisfied to have Johnny gambling a main individual withinside the movies.”
While WB, Rowling, and director David Yates caught in the back of their selection to solid the Johnny Depp Grindelwald individual, the backlash most effective intensified withinside the lead-as much as the second one film`s release, particularly after it turned into titled Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, making sure Depp`s darkish wizard might play a completely imperative role.
Johnny Depp, who performed Grindelwald, and Amber Heard reached a agreement in August 2016 and finalized their divorce in January 2017, however that did now no longer stop the debate surrounding the pair`s relationship, nor that of the continued Johnny Depp Grindelwald position withinside the Fantastic Beasts franchise, regardless of him being showed to go back for Fantastic Beasts 3. An April 2018 article posted through The Sun stated Depp as a “spouse beater,” which brought about the actor suing the newspaper`s determine company, News Group Newspapers (NGN), and The Sun`s then-government editor Dan Wooton, for libel.
Despite Depp’s claims, the court found in favor of NGN and Wooton. Their lawyers presented 14 separate incidents as evidence of abuse from Depp to Heard, and 12 were found to have passed the reasonable civil standard, meaning The Sun‘s report was found to have “substantial truth.” Depp attempted to appeal the verdict but was unsuccessful.
Depp, who played Grindelwald, losing his libel lawsuit created, at the very least, a PR disaster for Warner Bros., as it meant other U.K. publications could refer to him in those same (or similar) terms, and the optics, as well as moral obligations, of keeping him as the Johnny Depp Grindelwald character in Fantastic Beasts 3 were seemingly too much to bear. Depp technically wasn’t fired from Fantastic Beasts 3, but he was asked to resign by WB, which he did.
As Variety reported, AT&T’s merger with WarnerMedia also likely had an influence. This had already resulted in sweeping changes at WB, and their sources suggested that one major change was “an overall lack of tolerance for the kind of controversy that every major studio has had to weather at one time or another when courting mercurial – but historically popular – talent like Depp.”As reported by THR, Depp was still paid his full salary – believed to be $16 million – despite only shooting one scene for the movie, as he had a “pay-or-play” contract, meaning he’d be paid regardless of whether the film happened or not.
As Variety reported, AT&T’s merger with WarnerMedia also likely had an influence. This had already resulted in sweeping changes at WB, and their sources suggested that one major change was “an overall lack of tolerance for the kind of controversy that every major studio has had to weather at one time or another when courting mercurial – but historically popular – talent like Depp.”As reported by THR, Depp was still paid his full salary – believed to be $16 million – despite only shooting one scene for the movie, as he had a “pay-or-play” contract, meaning he’d be paid regardless of whether the film happened or not.
Either way, this is the second box office bungle that the Fantastic Beasts franchise has now made, with its predecessor being regarded as one of the worst Harry Potter franchise films of all time. The third movie ended with a duel between Grindelwald and Dumbledore, though it’s certainly not the duel of legend.
The Johnny Depp Grindelwald character wasn’t the only Wizarding World villain to undergo a recast, as the character of Voldemort from Harry Potter has been played by five separate actors. While some of these actors are used to represent You-Know-Who in different stages of life, the adult Voldemort was the one who faced a major recast after Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. When Voldemort was possessing Quirrell’s body — and living out of the back of his head — he was played by veteran British actor Richard Bremmer, who is known for The 13th Warrior, Shanghai Nights, and Mr. Turner.
Fiennes stayed on as Voldemort in his final form for the remaining four Harry Potter movies and truly made the villain his own. Fiennes is known most recently for The Menu. Other actors that played Voldemort include Tom Riddle for Chamber of Secrets, played by Christian Coulson, Hero Fiennes-Tiffin as child Tom Riddle (Half-Blood Prince), and Frank Dillane as teen Riddle (Half-Blood Prince). So, Johnny Depp wasn’t the only actor to face a recast, but Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore turned out better for it.