ACTOR Mads Mikkelsen will be replacing Johnny Depp in Fantastic Beasts as the film is pushed back to July 2022 over the recasting tribulations.
The official statement has been made that Mads will takeover as Gellert Grindelwald for the Warner Bros franchise of Fantastic Beasts.
Mads Mikkelsen will be replacing Johnny Depp as Gellert Grindelwald[/caption]
The Danish actor is confirmed to take the spot as the famous dark wizard following Johnny’s removal from the Harry Potter prequel.
The decision was made quickly in order to move forward with filming, as the third installment in the wildly popular series has already begun production this past September.
The multi-talented replacement has also played Hannibal and the villain Le Chiffre in Casino Royale.
Mads is set to star alongside Eddie Redmayne, Jude Law, Katherine Waterston, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, and Ezra Miller, with direction by Harry Potter mainstay David Yates.
Mads as Dr. Hannibal Lecter [/caption]
He also starred in The Hunt[/caption]
Many fans expressed hope that the studio would instead choose Colin Farrell for the role, who played Grindelwald in the original film in 2016, Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them.
Colin was unavailable for the role, regardless of fan wishes, because he is currently in filming for The Batman from the Warner Bros Studios.
Warner Bros asked Johnny, 57, to resign from the movie following allegations that he was abusive towards his ex-wife Amber Heard.
The Sun shared a story on the alleged abuse, to which the award-winning actor filed a libel lawsuit in response.
Johnny was allegedly abusive towards his ex-wife Amber Heard[/caption]
He lost his libel case against The Sun, calling for him to be fired from the film[/caption]
Johnny lost the case, forcing his resignation.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the notable film star had only filmed one scene of the new Fantastic Beasts film, yet the studio was still obliged to pay him the full eight-figure salary, a sum of $10 million, upon his termination.
The actor had a special clause in his contract that stated Warner would have to pay-to-play, guaranteeing his income despite any changes that could potentially be made.
The film was originally set to debut on November 12, 2021, but due to Johnny’s removal and the task of recast, it has now been postponed to July 15, 2022.
Johnny helped design the physical attributes of his character[/caption]
He told his Instagram followers that he ‘respected and agreed’ with the studio’s decision[/caption]
Once fired, the famed actor took to Instagram to say that he “respected and agreed” with the decision.
Johnny is said to have abused his ex Amber, 34, on 12 occasions, and the judge defended The Sun’s right to call him a wife-beater in an article posted in 2018.
Some believe this will be the end of Johnny’s career and he will be labeled negatively for years to come.
Despite being removed from the film, Johnny still was paid in full for the role[/caption]
Media lawyer Mark Stephens said: “This is devastating for Depp. He is now toxic.
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“He will be known forever as a wife-beater, a drunkard, and a druggie. It will be written on his headstone.”
Entertainment Weekly reports that although most details of the film’s plot remain unknown, the setting will be Rio de Janeiro and will involve the Wizarding World’s association with World War II.
