Johnny Depp exits the ‘Fantastic Beasts’ franchise

Johnny Depp has been embroiled in legal battles with his ex-wife Amber Heard this year, including a libel suit he brought against the British tabloid The Sun, which labelled him as a “wife-beater.” A few days ago, the courts threw out his suit, with the judge adding that the newspaper's assertion of his behaviour was “substantially true.” Now the Pirates of the Caribbean star is claiming on social media that this recent court decision is the reason why the studio behind the Fantastic Beasts franchise has booted him from the next movie.“In light of recent events, I would like to make the following short statement,” he wrote on Instagram. “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.”

 

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A post shared by Johnny Depp (@johnnydepp) on Nov 6, 2020 at 8:15am PST

He continued, “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.”“Finally, I wish to say this. The surreal judgement of the court in the U.K. will not change my fight to tell the truth and I confirm that I plan to appeal,” Depp added. “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.”[video_embed id='2068284']RELATED: Johnny Depp loses court case against newspaper[/video_embed]Warner Bros, for their part, have also issued a statement, which doesn’t mention that he was asked to leave the franchise. Instead, they only announce that he will not be a part of it. “Johnny Depp will depart the Fantastic Beasts franchise,” they wrote. “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,” they concluded.So did he jump or was he pushed? As of right now, Warner Bros. has not confirmed or denied Johnny’s assertion that he was asked to leave because he is now, in the eyes of UK law, a domestic abuser. The studio has also not released details of the re-casting process or who is in the running to take over Johnny’s role.Johnny first played the character Grindelwald in 2016’s Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. The actor was expected to reprise the role in the upcoming third installment, production on which got delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic.The What’s Eating Gilbert Grape? and Edward Scissorhands Hollywood heavyweight only joined Instagram in April, all the while the bitter fight between him and his ex-wife actress Amber Heard has been ongoing. Ex-partners Penelope Cruz and Winona Ryder were even roped into the drama, having to provide statements of Johnny’s character during The Sun legal battle.[video_embed id='5981631825001']Before you go: Amber Heard received death threats after her Johnny Depp accusations[/video_embed]