- In an interview with Playboy, Ezra Miller weighed in on the controversial casting of Johnny Depp as the titular character of “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.”
- The actor, who stars as Credence in the film, said none of the cast members were consulted by JK Rowling about Depp’s role.
- Depp’s part in the franchise has faced backlash from fans because his ex-wife Amber Heard accused him of assaulting her while they were married (she later dropped the charges).
- The 55-year-old star has denied the allegations, and Rowling defended the inclusion of Depp in the films.
“Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald” star Ezra Miller said the cast wasn’t consulted by JK Rowling about Johnny Depp’s involvement in the franchise.
“No, none of us were consulted. None of us knew,” Miller, who plays Credence Barebone in the film, said during an interview with Playboy.
“Look, I bring forth my work to this job, and I do the best that I can,” he added in regards to working with Depp.
Carefully elaborating, Miller said: “I would say that literally every single aspect of my reality, inclusive of a lot of things that are not fine with me, are fine with me. It’s amazing how far the banner of all good can extend.”
Depp's role as the titular character of the "Fantastic Beasts" sequel has faced backlash for months, particularly because his ex-wife, Amber Heard, accused him of domestic abuse. Depp has denied Heard's claims.
"JK has seen the evidence and therefore knows I was falsely accused, and that's why she has publicly supported me," he told Entertainment Weekly. "She doesn't take things lightly. She would not stand up if she didn't know the truth."
Previously, Rowling released a statement and defended the casting, saying, "Based on our understanding of the circumstances, the filmmakers and I are not only comfortable sticking with our original casting, but genuinely happy to have Johnny playing a major character in the movies."
Other people involved in the production of the franchise have also weighed in on the controversy.
In November 2017, director David Yates told Entertainment Weekly that Depp is "full of decency and kindness, and that's all I see. Whatever accusation was out there doesn't tally with the kind of human being I've been working with."
"Harry Potter" star Daniel Radcliffe also addressed the issue and said that it's difficult for him to speak about it because he "wants to be supportive of the film's producers," who kick-started his career, but at the same time "can see why people are frustrated."
A representative for Warner Bros. didn't immediately respond to INSIDER's request for comment.
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