Mads Mikkelsen admits reprising Grindelwald in Johnny Depp’s Fantastic Beasts is ‘tricky’

Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen was confirmed last week to replace Johnny Depp as Gellert Grindelwald in the third Fantastic Beasts movie.

And while promoting his upcoming movie Another Round, Mikkelsen, 55, spoke about the “ awkward ” task of making the Dark Wizard his own while maintaining a connection to Depp’s previous performances.

“We’re still working on it. There must be a bridge between what Johnny did and what I’m going to do. And at the same time, I also have to make it my own, ”he told EW.com.

‘Tricky’ task: Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen, 55, says ‘there must be a bridge between what Johnny did and what I’m going to do’ as he takes over Fantastic Beasts role 3 by Depp

Mikkelsen said he wanted to ‘find some links’ to the Depp version of Grindelwald ”so it does not come off completely from what he has already accomplished brilliantly.

He added that the opportunity to be in Fantastic Beasts 3 was, for him, “ super interesting and enjoyable. ”

But he admitted that this happens in “sad circumstances”.

Iconic: Mikkelsen told EW.com he wanted to ‘find some links’ to Depp’s version of Grindelwald’ (pictured) so it doesn’t come off completely from what he has already accomplished in a big way ”

‘Sad circumstances’: Depp, 57, pictured in October, was’ asked to step down by Warner Bros. after losing UK libel lawsuit against The Sun newspaper after being called ‘wife beater’ the Times of Israel

Depp, 57, was “ invited to resign by Warner Bros. after losing his UK libel lawsuit against The Sun newspaper over their description of him as a ‘wife beater’.

He was denied permission to appeal in the case after the High Court in London found out that a story he beat ex-wife Amber Heard was ‘substantially true’.

The Hollywood star had played Grindelwald in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find them in 2016 and in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald in 2018.

Production of Fantastic Beasts 3 kicked off on September 20 in London and is slated for release in July 2022.

Depp had only shot one scene in the sequel, though his payment or acting contract allows him to keep the $ 10 million he was paid for the role.

New movie: Mikkelsen commented on Fantastic Beasts 3 while promoting his movie Another Round which opens in limited theaters Friday and will be on demand on December 18