Johnny Depp departed the Fantastic Beasts franchise last week. The actor shared the news on Instagram just after he lost a defamation suit against The Sun. He went after the UK tabloid after the publication reported on his alleged abuse of ex-wife Amber Heard. Warner Bros. asked Depp to resign from playing the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald after filming a single day on the movie, though they have not stated why. Depp will reportedly still receive his full eight figure salary for the film. Yes, you read that number correctly: eight figures.
Warner Bros. did confirm they’d be recasting the role for Fantastic Beasts 3. And on Tuesday afternoon, Deadline reported Mads Mikkelsen could play Gellert Grindelwald. Our sources confirmed the actor is indeed in “early talks.” Deadline states Mikkelsen, known for Hannibal, Doctor Strange, and Rogue One among many other roles, is director David Yates’ choice for Grindelwald.
NBC/Warner Bros.
If this is true, it’s easy to envision Mikkelsen as Grindelwald. When we last saw him in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, Newt and others tried to fight against the dark wizard at Dumbledore’s behest. To be honest, the film didn’t make much of an impression upon me. It was kind of a mess. But with Mikkelsen in this role, maybe I’ll take another look at the franchise.
Whoever ends up playing Gellert Grindelwald, the film will debut in theaters in summer 2022. The coronavirus pandemic caused the film to push from November 2021 to the later date. Fantastic Beasts 3, which will see the return of Eddie Redmayne as Newt Scamander and Jude Law as Albus Dumbledore, is already filming.
Featured Image: NBC/Warner Bros.
For tools and resources for those dealing with domestic violence, please visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline. To help protect the rights and lives of Trans youth in the UK, please visit Mermaids.
