For at least a year, people related to Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald have been fielding questions about the inclusion of Johnny Depp in the franchise, thanks to Depp's personal life lawsuits and allegations from his ex Amber Heard. Now, Johnny Depp has opened up about how the cast and creative team have had to come out and defend the decision to cast him. He said in a recent interview:
I'll be honest with you, I felt bad for J.K. having to field all these various feelings from people out there. I felt bad that she had to take that. But ultimately, there is real controversy. The fact remains I was falsely accused, which is why I'm suing the Sun newspaper for defamation for repeating false accusations.
Johnny Depp is suing newspaper outlet the Sun for referring to him as "a wife beater" after news broke that Depp and former wife Amber Heard's relationship was tumultuous. Allegations from Depp included accusing Heard of pooping in their bed and becoming violent. Heard herself has hinted at allegations against Depp due to his behavior, and there was a gruesome video with a wine bottle and a cut finger that also went around the Internet.
The lawsuit Depp mentioned is only one of myriad lawsuits Johnny Depp has been or is involved in, including a lawsuit about City of Lies, a movie about the deaths of Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G. Also on the set of that movie, Johnny Depp was accused of punching a crew member, also resulting in a lawsuit. It was only recently Depp settled lawsuits about money, as well.
Now, Depp seems to be relaying remorse for his personal life bleeding into his professional life.
In the interview with EW, Jonny Depp also specifically spoke out about J.K. Rowling, who previously had to come to his defense, explaining why she made that decision:
J.K. has seen the evidence and therefore knows I was falsely accused, and that's why she has publicly supported me. She doesn't take things lightly. She would not stand up if she didn't know the truth. So that's really it.
J.K. Rowling formerly came out and stated about Depp that when stories came out there were deep concerns about the casting of the actor in the Warner Bros. movies. She also stated that she felt work had been done to ensure the casting was the correct choice, closing with:
Based on our understanding to the circumstances, the filmmakers and I are not only comfortable sticking with our original casting but genuinely happy to have Johnny Depp playing a major character in the movies. I've loved writing the first two screenplays and I can't wait for the fans to see The Crimes of Grindelwald. I accept that there will be those who are not satisfied with our choice of actor in the title role.
Johnny Depp doesn't play a large role in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Instead, his character Grindelwald is hiding out as Graves, a character played by Colin Farrell. It is only in the final minutes of the film that the guies of Graves is stripped and we meet the real Grindelwald for the first time. However, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald will more heavily focus on the character, as well as popular Harry Potter character Albus Dumbledore, played by Jude Law in this iteration.
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald with Johnny Depp will hit theaters next month on November 16, 2018. To see what movies are still left to hit theaters this year, take a look at our full movies premiere schedule. Johnny Depp is expected to return for the currently untitled Fantastic Beasts 3.
