Johnny Depp has announced his exit from the Fantastic Beasts franchise, following the news that he lost his libel action against British newspaper the Sun.
In a social media message, the actor claimed he had decided to retire and that the “surreal judgment” of the High Court trial “will not change my fight to tell the truth.”
“In light of recent events, I would like to make the following short statement,” Depp stated in an Instagram letter. “Firstly, I’d like to thank everybody who has gifted me with their support and loyalty. I have been humbled and moved by your many messages of love and concern, particularly over the last few days. Secondly, 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.”
Depp’s departure was acknowledged by Warner Bros., who also stated that the character will be recast. In a statement, the studio added, “We thank Johnny for his work on the films to date.”
JK Rowling, the creator of Harry Potter, has begun work on the third film in the spin-off series. Warner Bros. announced on Friday that the film’s release date has been moved back from November 2021 to the middle of 2022.
Depp, 57, had sued The Sun newspaper’s publisher over a 2018 article alleging that he beat his ex-wife Amber Heard.
Depp has often referred to Heard’s assault and abuse charges as a “hoax,” and has claimed that Heard was hostile toward him. In a letter released on Friday, he maintained his innocence. “The surreal judgment of the court in the U.K. will not change my fight to tell the truth and I confirm that I plan to appeal,” the letter continues. “My resolved remains strong and I intend to prove that the allegations against me are false,” he added. “My life and career will not be defined by this moment in time. Thank you for reading.”
Due to the coronavirus, Judge Andrew Nicol issued his decision in writing at the High Court in London, dismissing Depp’s lawsuit against The Sun and stating that “the great majority” of Amber Heard’s assault accusations could be “proved to the civil standard.”
“The Claimant has not succeeded in his action for libel,” a court summary read. “Although he has proved the necessary elements of his cause of action in libel, the Defendants have shown that what they published in the meaning which I have held the words to bear was substantially true.”
The court was informed of Depp’s chronic use of alcohol and drugs, read messages in which he referred to his ex-wife as a “witch” and suggested burning her, and watched footage of him striking and bashing kitchen cabinets during the hearing.
The part of Gellert Grindelwald, the dark wizard, will now be recast, and another actor will take Depp’s place.
Principal filming on the unnamed third Fantastic Beasts film was supposed to commence in March, but it was postponed due to the pandemic. It began in September with safety precautions in place, and it’s unknown if Depp shot any sequences with Jude Law and Eddie Redmayne.
The 1984 horror picture A Nightmare on Elm Street launched the actor’s career, and he has since appeared in scores of high-profile films, including Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean series. In 2016’s Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, he made his debut appearance as Grindelwald in a brief sequence, followed by Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald in 2018. The next film is scheduled for release in 2022.
