Fantastic Beasts: JK Rowling Stands By Johnny Depp Casting

We’re at quite a pivotal point in Hollywood right now. Over the past couple months, allegations against some pretty high up people has led to seismic changes in the entire filmmaking landscape. However, that’s not to say allegations against some men didn’t come before this past October.

Amid the breakup between actors Johnny Depp and Amber Heard last year, Depp was accused of domestic abuse. Needless to say, some fans aren’t too happy that we’ll be seeing Depp quite a bit in the upcoming Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (where he’ll be playing the titular Gellert Grindelwald), and even more in the entirety of the franchise.

Harry Potter author and Fantastic Beasts screenwriter J.K. Rowling has always been quite the liberal advocate online, and as such, some fans took to Twitter to implore her to recast Depp. This has prompted the need for her and the studio to release statements regarding Depp.

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Here’s what Rowling had to say:

“When Johnny Depp was cast as Grindelwald, I thought he’d be wonderful in the role. However, around the time of filming his cameo in the first movie, stories had appeared in the press that deeply concerned me and everyone most closely involved in the franchise.

“Harry Potter fans had legitimate questions and concerns about our choice to continue with Johnny Depp in the role. As David Yates, long-time Potter director, has already said, we naturally considered the possibility of recasting. I understand why some have been confused and angry about why that didn’t happen.

“The huge, mutually supportive community that has grown up around Harry Potter is one of the greatest joys of my life. For me personally, the inability to speak openly to fans about this issue has been difficult, frustrating and at times painful. However, the agreements that have been put in place to protect the privacy of two people, both of whom have expressed a desire to get on with their lives, must be respected. 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.

“I’ve loved writing the first two screenplays and I can’t wait for fans to see The Crimes of Grindelwald. I accept that there will be those who are not satisfied with our choice of actor in the title role. However, conscience isn’t governable by committee. Within the fictional world and outside it, we all have to do what we believe to be the right thing.”

Warner Bros. also released a statement, saying:

“We are of course aware of reports that surfaced around the end of Johnny Depp’s marriage, and take seriously the complexity of the issues involved.

“This matter has been jointly addressed by both parties, in a statement in which they said “there was never any intent of physical or emotional harm.

Based on the circumstances and the information available to us, we, along with the filmmakers, continue to support the decision to proceed with Johnny Depp in the role of Grindelwald in this and future films.”

Unfortunately, they are not addressing the elephant in the room (whether or not domestic abuse actually took place), but from the sound of it, are unable to legally comment on the matter due to deals put in place between Depp and Heard.

As Rowling said, these statements, and the thought of them moving forward, may not please most folks, but at least we know for sure that Depp will continue to play Grindelwald in the future.

What do you think of all this? Is this the right move from Rowling and Warner Bros.? Let us know your thoughts down below!

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald hits theaters on November 16, 2018.

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SOURCE: Deadline

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