James Bond star Mads Mikkelsen replaces Johnny Depp in ‘Fantastic Beasts’



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Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen will replace Johnny Depp in the upcoming “Fantastic Beasts” movie.

Warner Bros. Pictures announced Wednesday that the 55-year-old star – known for her roles in the James Bond films “Casino Royale”, “Hannibal” and “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” – has been cast as the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald.

The third installment “Fantastic Beasts” is in production outside of London. Its release date is set for July 15, 2022.

Mikkelson’s casting comes just weeks after Warner Bros. confirmed Depp’s departure as a villain in the prequel series “Harry Potter”.

JOHNNY DEPP RELEASE OF THE “ FANTASTIC BEASTS ” SERIES

Mads Mikkelsen will play the role of Gellert Grindelwald in

Mads Mikkelsen will play the role of Gellert Grindelwald in “Fantastic Beasts”, replacing Johnny Depp.
(Vittorio Zunino Celotto / Getty Images for RFF)

“Johnny Depp will be leaving the ‘Fantastic Beasts’ franchise. We thank Johnny for his work on the films to date, ”the studio said. “Fantastic Beasts 3” is currently in production and the role of Gellert Grindelwald will be recast. The film will debut in theaters around the world in the summer of 2022. “

Depp also confirmed the news, explaining in a social media statement that he had accepted a request to resign.

“I want to let you know that Warner Bros asked me to step down from my role as Grindelwald in Fantastic Beasts and I have respected and accepted that request,” he wrote.

Depp added, “I want to thank everyone who has offered me their support and loyalty. I have been moved and moved by your many messages of love and concern, especially in recent days.

JUDE LAW ADDRESSES THE ROLE OF JOHNNY DEPP’S ‘FANTASTIC BEASTS’: ‘IT WAS UNUSUAL’

He concluded: “Finally, I want to say this. The surrealist judgment [sic] of the UK court will not change my fight to tell the truth and I confirm that I intend to appeal. My resolve remains firm and I intend to prove that the allegations against me are false. My life and my career will not be defined by this moment in time.

'Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald' cast, left to right: Johnny Depp, Claudia Kim, Jude Law, Zoe Kravitz, Callum Turner, Ezra Miller, Katherine Waterston, Alison Sudol, Eddie Redmayne, William Nadylam, Dan Fogler and the screenwriter JK Rowling.

‘Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald’ cast, left to right: Johnny Depp, Claudia Kim, Jude Law, Zoe Kravitz, Callum Turner, Ezra Miller, Katherine Waterston, Alison Sudol, Eddie Redmayne, William Nadylam, Dan Fogler and the screenwriter JK Rowling.
(Getty Images)

The move came after the 57-year-old actor lost his high-stakes libel case against tabloid The Sun on Monday for calling him a ‘woman’s beater’, as a UK judge said he believed the actor had abused his ex-wife Amber Heard. so much so that she frequently feared for her life.

Depp continues to deny all allegations of abuse.

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Jude Law recently opened up about his own involvement in the film and Depp’s character makeover.

“It’s a huge movie, and it’s got a lot of layers. It’s probably one of the greatest productions I’ve ever worked on,” Law, 47, told “Entertainment Tonight.” “And in a situation like this, you defer to the studio. That’s all you can do. Because you have to introduce yourself and play your part.”

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Eddie Redmayne, Ezra Miller, Katherine Waterston, and many more are also starring on the project.

Jessica Napoli and Nate Day of Fox News contributed to this report.



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