Johnny Depp departs from Fantastic Beasts 3 after losing libel case

Johnny Depp was asked by Warner Bros. to resign from his role in Fantastic Beasts 3.

Johnny Depp has revealed that he’ll be stepping down from his Fantastic Beasts role as Gellert Grindelwald, something he was reportedly asked to do by Warner Bros. Studios. The franchise is headed into its third installment, with Grindelwald having made his big stand at the end of the second film.

In an Instagram post, Depp addressed his followers with this statement:

"“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 decision to have Depp depart from the role follows the actor losing a libel case against The Sun, a publication that referred to him as a “wife beater” after his ex-wife, Amber Heard, accused him of abuse. Although the U.K. court did not rule in favor of Depp, he has already announced plans to appeal the decision. He mentioned this in his post, writing, “The surreal judgement of the court in the U.K. will not change my fight to tell the truth and I confirm that I plan to appeal.”

”My life and my career will not be defined by this moment in time,” he added.

The allegations against Depp date back to the first Fantastic Beasts film, though J.K. Rowling came to his defense at the time, with Warner Bros. still bringing him on.

According to a Warner Bros. spokesperson, the studio intends to recast the role and continue production. The upcoming film is still slated to arrive in 2022.

What do you think of Johnny Depp stepping away from Fantastic Beasts? Who would you like to see take up the role in the future?