Why Mads Mikkelsen is a great choice to play Grindelwald in Fantastic Beasts

Mads Mikkelsen has been tapped to take over the role of Grindelwald in the Fantastic Beasts franchise and truly this is the Harry Potter villain we deserve.

It’s official: Hannibal star Mads Mikkelsen is joining the Fantastic Beasts franchise, taking over the role of Gellert Grindelwald from Johnny Depp, who was asked to resign earlier this month.

The casting decision was rumored earlier this month, but only recently confirmed by Warner Brothers. According to reports, no reshoots will be required as a result of this casting change, even though Fantastic Beasts 3 is currently filming in London. (Rumor has it that Depp only shot a single scene.)

Beyond Depp’s real-world legal and public relations problems, he’s never been the best fit for the role of Grindelwald in the first place, often playing the character as though he wandered in from a Tim Burton movie, complete with heavy make-up and singular (-ly ridiculous) hair. And if we can’t have Colin Farrell – the original Grindewald-in-disguise – back, then Mikkelsen is an exceptional choice for a replacement.

Given his three-season stint on Hannibal and his turn as Doctor Strange villain  Kaecilius, Mikkelsen is already skilled at playing iconic villains who are simultaneously capable of striking fear into the heart of all and sundry while simultaneously oozing the sort of raw appeal that makes it easy to understand why they keep getting away with crimes.  The idea that Mikkelsen is now playing an infamous dark sorcerer who lures susceptible believers to the side of what is basically wizard fascism tracks, is all I’m saying.

And I’m deeply interested to see what his chemistry is like with Jude Law, who plays the younger version of Albus Dumbledore in this franchise, who is both Grindelwald’s ex and the man who will eventually defeat him.

Fantastic Beasts 3 has already seen its late 2021 release date pushed to summer 2022, so this film has already seen its share of upheaval. Not to mention the fact that by the time it hits screens almost four years will have passed since the second installment, subtitled The Crimes of Grindelwald, was released in theaters. Will anyone even remember – or still care – about this franchise at that point?

The addition of Mikkelsen may perk up the interest of fans — admittedly, much like me — who had basically written this series of films off after its dreadful second installment, whose convoluted story either failed or ignored its female characters (Justice! For! Queenie!) and introduced a bunch of weird fan service-y twists that didn’t work. (See: Everything about Nagini.)

For this franchise, perhaps the third time really will be the charm. Let’s hope so.

What do you think about the addition of Mikkelsen to the Fantastic Beasts cast? Sound off in the comments.