Warner Bros. requests Johnny Depp resign from his role as Grindelwald from Fantastic Beasts, and he respectfully does.
Depp took his announcement to his social gathering on Instagram, posting a personal letter.
Author, J.K. Rowling, supported her decision in casting Depp. On her website, she wrote, “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.” It’s important to note that Rowling wrote this when the accusations against Depp first went viral; however, Rowling likely still stands by her words, even after the judge’s ruling to Depp’s libel case.
“I’d like to thank everybody who has gifted me with their support and loyalty.” — Johnny Depp
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Depp comments about Rowling’s written statement regarding her support. “J.K. has seen the evidence and therefore knows I was falsely accused, and that’s why she has publicly supported me. She doesn’t take things lightly. She would not stand up if she didn’t know the truth. So that’s really it.”
Buzzfeed reports the judge concluded the case proven according to what was proven to the civil standard, which requires much less proof than beyond a reasonable doubt. Watch the videos below for a lawyer’s explanation between the two. Proven to the civil standard is not proof that Depp did anything. It means that there is doubt. The judge didn’t prove that Depp did anything, and the judge didn’t prove that Depp didn’t do anything. The civil proof concludes that evidence, not the judge but the evidence alone, suggests that more likely than not, the evidence may be valid.
What Does “Proven to the Civil Standard” Mean?
What Does “Beyond a Reasonable Doubt” Mean?
Keeping It Simple
In simple terms, the judge couldn’t rule in Depp’s favor because the judge couldn’t prove that Depp never hit Amber Heard; however, it is vitally important that the world knows that the judge has not proven Depp to be guilty of anything. The judge ruled in favor of the tabloid because the judge couldn’t prove that the tabloid did anything wrong against Johnny Depp, except report news that has not been proven to be false; therefore, after Depp appeals the case and further evidence is brought forth, then a new ruling can potentially take place.
Depp will be appealing his case for strong beliefs that he was wronged, and his passion reveals an obvious truth to his quest. Depp’s current loss to the libel ruling is potentially only a temporary loss. The case isn’t 100% settled since he will be appealing; furthermore, the case itself is about the Sun newspaper defamation, not regarding the act of physical or verbal abuse against his ex-wife, Amber Heard.
Grindlewald Recasting
A Warner Bros. statement issued to Time Magazine reads, “Johnny Depp will depart the Fantastic Beasts franchise. We thank Johnny for his work on the films to date. Fantastic Beasts 3 is currently in production, and the role of Gellert Grindelwald will be recast.” Rumors suggest that Colin Farrell should continue as Grindelwald; however, Farrell, already cast as Lord Percival Graves, wouldn’t make sense for the film. Graves, from the first Fantastic Beasts film, was Grindelwald disguised as Graves. Where is the real Graves? A Quora response to this question suggests that he is either dead or imprisoned. Should the character Graves, or the actor Colin Farrell, return to the film, then an explanation would need to be justified to the fans, something within the story’s fictional realm.
Johnny Depp and Colin Farrell being both wonderful actors, would probably agree that it couldn’t be good for the film franchise to bring Colin Farrell back as Grindlewald. Depp, in the same aforementioned interview, said, “As Grindelwald [was pretending to be] Graves, his responsibility is to portray Graves. I suppose the more contemplative moments of Colin’s — the more silent moments — for me, that’s when I would see bits of Grindelwald.”
Depp continues in the interview explaining the freedom and trust he received to interpret Grindelwald’s character. “I had an image in my head of the guy. The beauty of J.K. and of Yates is they put trust in me to a degree. J.K. and I had some really nice talks and I had some ideas and she just said, “I can’t wait to see what you do with him.” It was beautifully left as this open gift.”
Why Johnny Depp?
People may wonder why cast Johnny Depp in the first place, or why continue knowing that his private life might be bad business or publicity? Johnny Depp has been, is, and will be one of the most talented, gifted, high-demand heartthrobs in all of Hollywood, and at any age, so there is no question. His talent speaks for itself. An example of the brilliance Depp has to offer can also be found within his same interview. “Sometimes things arrive and for me in the moment and its always important to pay attention to whatever that is, when you have a certain instinct about something. I always follow it.”
An actor of Depp’s caliber has the experience and the intelligence to listen to his muse, some may refer to this as improv; whatever you classify it as, it operates differently for each artist. Just as no other author could write Harry Potter, no other actor can replace the unique abilities that only Johnny Depp possesses, which is why J.K. Rowling stood firm in her decision to cast Depp as Grindlewald.
Depp finishes the interview by stating his loyalty to the fans. “I feel like the main thing as an actor is your loyalty. It’s my job to enforce the author’s vision and also be true to the director’s vision. And then there’s being true to my vision. It’s a major responsibility, being handed the keys to this car. My intense loyalty is to not just J.K. and David Yates but to the people who go and see the films as well, the people who have invested their lives into this magnificent, incredible world J.K. has created.” Fortunately, Depp’s fans are also loyal.
“My life and career will not be defined by this moment in time.” — Johnny Depp
#JusticeForJohnnyDepp
Trending worldwide is #JusticeForJohnnyDepp. Also, 60k fans have already signed a petition to Bring Johnny Depp Back to Fantastic Beasts; please click the link and sign. Additionally, fans are breaking the internet by demanding that Amber Heard to be fired from Aquaman 2. Fantastic Beasts 3 was already in prediction, while WeGotThisCovered explains, Aquaman 2 isn’t set to begin filming until early next year.
Fantastic Beasts 3 is expected in Summer 2022.
