BREAKING: Mads Mikkelsen confirmed to replace Johnny Depp in Fantastic Beasts
BREAKING NEWS: Johnny Depp will be replaced by Mads Mikkelsen as Gellert Grindelwald in Fantastic Beasts after losing his recent Amber Heard court case. A UK court today also rejected his appeal against the ruling.
Johnny Depp resigns from role in Fantastic Beasts
After weeks of speculation, major US news sites are reporting that Mikkelsen has been confirmed as the latest actor to play the main villain in the ongoing Fantastic Beasts franchise. The role was previously debuted by Colin Farrell in the first movie before it was revealed he was merely the 'disguise' for Depp's true form. Now the wizarding story will have to magically explain a new identity for Dumbledore's greatest opponent (and former love).
The breaking report says: "It's official: Mads Mikkelsen is the new Gellert Grindelwald.
"The Hannibal and Rogue One star is confirmed to replace Johnny Depp as the notorious dark wizard in the Fantastic Beasts franchise."
The Danish actor had only just categorically denied he was being lined up to take over the role, citing a packed schedule, but it seems this was all smoke and mirrors.
Fantastic Beasts 3 has already been pushed back to a July 2022 release date.
Warner Bros has been focussed on sorting out the fall-out from Depp's disastrous UK court case after he sued a UK newspaper for calling him a "wife-beater."
In a catastrophic ruling for the star, earlier this month the court found that 12 of the 14 instances of alleged domestic abuse were upheld.
Despite his protestations of innocence and declarations that he will clear his name, the studio moved swiftly to remove him from the franchise.
On November 6, the official Warner Bros statement said: "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. The film will debut in theaters worldwide in the summer of 2022."
In reply, Depp said: "The surreal judgement of the court in the UK will not change my fight to tell the truth and I confirm that I plan to appeal.
"My resolve remains strong and I intend to prove that the allegations against me are false. My life and career will not be defined by this moment in time."
However, earlier today, the same UK court denied his appeal, saying there were no grounds for any possible reversal of the decision.
DON'T MISS
Pirates of the Caribbean 6: Johnny Depp 'exit' TEASED by new star
Johnny Depp: Jude Law responds to 'UNUSUAL’ co-star 'sacking'
Pirates of the Caribbean star backs ‘LOVELY’ Johnny Depp's film future
In a further blow for the embattled star, there are new reports that Heard is actually in talks to step into the Pirates franchise, herself.
Disney's upcoming reboot will be helmed by Margot Robbie is what is being regarded as a female-centric blockbuster relaunch.
Although all the studios seem to be moving quickly to distance themselves from Depp, the star's legions of fans have been protesting against his dismissal and demanding that Heard is dropped from her role as Mera in the Aquaman franchise.
So far, Warner Bros has not acknowledged a new petition to this effect which has already amassed over one million signatures.