Johnny Depp boldly stated in a recent profile with The Telegraph that his immediate reaction to Warner Bros. asking him to step down from his role as Gellert Grindelwald during the making of Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore was a defiant “fuck you.”
So, what happened? Long story short, Johnny Depp was asked by Warner Bros. to step down from his role in the Fantastic Beasts franchise. This news hit the internet like a rogue Bludger, leaving many fans scratching their heads and wondering what in the name of Merlin’s beard was going on.
The request for his departure came shortly after Depp lost a high-profile libel case in the UK against The Sun newspaper, which had called him a “wife-beater.” While Depp maintained his innocence, the legal battle undoubtedly cast a shadow over his public image and, by extension, the Fantastic Beasts films.
Depp described his reaction, he told The Telegraph, “It literally stopped in a millisecond, like, while I was doing the movie. They said we’d like you to resign. But what was really in my head was they wanted me to retire.”
What did he really think of the decision? “Fuck you. There’s far too many of me to kill. If you think you can hurt me more than I’ve already been hurt you’re gravely mistaken.”
Depp would go on to be “shunned, dumped, booted, deep-sixed, canceled” in Hollywood or “however you want to define it,” he added to The Telegraph.
Now, let’s be real, Depp’s portrayal of Grindelwald was a major draw for many viewers. He brought a certain captivating darkness to the character that was hard to ignore. So, the news of his exit definitely stirred up a cauldron of emotions among fans. Some were disappointed, feeling that no one else could truly capture the essence of Grindelwald like Depp. Others, however, felt that the decision was understandable given the circumstances.
But the show must go on, right? And it did. Warner Bros. quickly announced that Mads Mikkelsen would be taking over the role of Grindelwald in the subsequent film, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore. Mikkelsen, known for his chilling performances in films like Casino Royale and the Hannibal TV series, stepped into the wizarding shoes with his own brand of sinister charm.
Of course, the change in casting led to a whole new wave of reactions. Some fans embraced Mikkelsen’s interpretation, praising his nuanced and menacing portrayal. Others still longed for Depp’s return, feeling a disconnect with the new Grindelwald. It’s safe to say that the whole situation was a rollercoaster of emotions for the Fantastic Beasts fandom.
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