Screenwriter of the Fantastic Beasts franchise, [J.K. Rowling] has spoken about Johnny Depp’s casting as the villain Gellert Grindelwald in a text in her oficial website.
“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.
Harry Potter fans had legitimate questions and concerns about our choice to continue with Johnny Depp in the role. As David Yates, long-time 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. 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’. 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.”
Depp was accused of domestic violence by his ex wife, the actress Amber Heard. In an interview for the Entertainment Weekly, the director [David Yates] has stated that other women that the actor was involved with have defended him publicly and declared the case closed. Read more about it here.
Written by [J.K. Rowling] and directed by [David Yates], Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald premiers in November 16th, 2018 , the sequel takes place in New York, London and Paris, with references to the [Harry Potter] stories. A few months after being captured, Grindelwald escapes dramatically from MACUSA and conquers followers to his witch supremacy cause. With help from the magizoologist Newt Scamander, the only wizard capable of stopping him is Albus Dumbledore, a Hogwarts professor. In a darker era of the Wizarding World, the characters will face dangers to test their loyalty.
News written by: Pedro Martins
Translated by: Gabriela Benevides
