J.K. Rowling Defends Casting Johnny Depp in 'Fantastic Beasts' Sequel
by EG
J.K. Rowling is fine with Johnny Depp being involved in the sequel to Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, despite calls for his firing. Some fans thought Depp should lose his job over allegations that he physically and emotionally abused his ex-wife, actress Amber Heard. Rowling, however, says she's respecting the wishes of both Heard and Depp to move on with their lives, and she sees no problem in continuing to work with Depp.
J.K. Rowling has broken her silence about casting Johnny Depp in the Fantastic Beasts sequel.
Depp is set to reprise his role in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, the follow-up to the 2016 hit in which he made a cameo-sized debut at the end of the movie as the powerful dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald. However, fans have called for a recasting of the role, as Depp's then-wife, Amber Heard, accused him of emotionally and physically abusive behavior and released a video of an angry Depp and a photo of herself with a black eye. Depp called the reports "salacious false stories, gossip, misinformation and lies," and the two reached a settlement last year.
Rowling, who is writing all of the Harry Potter spinoff franchise's scripts, expressed her thoughts on the matter on her website Thursday. "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," she wrote. "Harry Potter fans had legitimate questions and concerns about our choice to continue with Johnny Depp in the role. As David Yates, longtime 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," Rowling continued. "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," she concluded. "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."
Get the rest of the story at The Hollywood Reporter.
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