ARTICLE
Mads Mikkelsen is replacing Johnny Depp in ‘Fantastic Beasts’
By Rachelle / 26 Nov 2020 (Thursday)
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It's official! Hannibal star Mads Mikkelsen has offically been named as Johnny Depp's replacement in the Fantastic Beasts franchise. Warner Bros., the studio behind the Wizarding World franchise, confirmed this news after weeks of speculation.
It was earlier reported that Mikkelsen was top choice to play the Dark Wizard after Depp had been asked to step down from the role following his loss over an ugly legal battle he waged against a British tabloid.
The latest installment in the series is currently in production at Warner Bros. Studios in London. It features an ensemble cast led by Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, Ezra Miller, Callum Turner, William Nadylam, Poppy Corby-Tuech, Jessica Williams, Victoria Yeates, and two-time Oscar nominee Jude Law.
Fantastic Beasts 3 is expected to open cinemas in July 2022.
[PREVIOUSLY] 11 November 2020
Johnny Depp has left the role of Gellert Grindelwald in Warner Bros' Fantastic Beast franchise, amidst his legal battle with ex-wife Amber Heard.
The news obviously had fans speculating who will be his replacement with Colin Farrell being one of the top names, considering the actor had actually portrayed the character for a brief moment in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016). Now it looks like speculations can be put to rest as its been reported that Hannibal actor Mads Mikkelsen is in talks to take over the role in the David Yates-directed Fantastic Beast 3, the third installment of the Harry Potter spinoff based on the JK Rowling fantasy franchise.
The Danish actor is no stranger to playing villains but still makes an interesting choice. If the rumours are true, we can't wait to see what he'll bring to the Wizarding World as the dark wizard Grindelwald!
Depp who portrayed the role in the first two installments of the Fantastic Beasts franchise - Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016) and Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018) - was asked to stepped down by Warner Bros, days after he lost his libel case against The Sun, a British tabloid that published an article in 2018 alleging he was a “wife beater.”
The actor announced his departure 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.
The third Fantastic Beasts installment has yet to have an official title but is expected to open in cinemas in 2022.