Marilla Sicilia/Archivio Marilla Sicilia/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images/Warner Bros. Pictures
- Mads Mikkelson has officially replaced Johnny Depp as Gellert Grindelwald in the “Fantastic Beasts” franchise.
- Depp had played the role in the previous two movies, but was asked to resign from the part by Warner Bros. after losing his libel trial against UK tabloid The Sun.
- Depp was suing The Sun over their use of the phrase “wife beater” in relation to his marriage with Amber Heard, but Judge Andrew Nicol ruled that Depp’s lawsuit could not succeed because The Sun’s lawyers had proved what the newspaper reported was “substantially true.”
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Mads Mikkelson has officially been cast as Gellert Grindelwald in the “Fantastic Beasts” franchise, replacing Johnny Depp.
Depp played the dark wizard in the first two instalments of J.K. Rowling’s series, including “The Crimes of Grindelwald” but was recently asked to resign from the role following the unsuccessful result of his libel trial against The Sun newspaper.
Mikkelson was quickly rumored to replace Depp, but the Danish actor said that he hadn’t been contacted at all about the role and was “waiting for that phone call.”
That phone call must have come soon after, because his casting has now been made official.
Mikkelson is best known for another villainous role in a mainstream mega-franchise, as he played James Bond villain Le Chiffre in Daniel Craig’s first Bond movie, “Casino Royale.” He also appeared as the villainous Kaecilius in “Doctor Strange,” and played Hannibal Lecter in the TK television series.
Mikkelson's first appearance as Grindelwald will be in the third movie, in which Depp had only shot one scene according to Variety, so reshoots will be at a minimum.
Depp was suing The Sun for labelling him as a "wife beater" in an article in relation to his marriage with Amber Heard, from whom he is now divorced. Heard, The Sun's star witness, alleged that Depp physically abused her. Depp denied the allegations.
However, Judge Andrew Nicol came to the conclusion that Depp's lawsuit could not succeed because The Sun's lawyers had proved what the newspaper reported was "substantially true." Depp was also recently denied an appeal, too.
Following the trial, Depp posted to Instagram revealing he had been asked to resign from the role of Grindelwald by Warner Bros, and that he would accept the request.
Mikkelson will join costars Eddie Redmayne, who plays Newt Scamander, and Jude Law, who plays a younger incarnation of Albus Dumbledore. The movie is scheduled for release in Summer 2022.
Read more:
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A complete timeline of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard's tumultuous relationship