(UTV | COLOMBO) – In a sudden and abrupt posting on Instagram, actor Johnny Depp has revealed he is stepping away from the role of dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald in the third entry in the “Fantastic Beasts” series – a spin-off of the “Harry Potter” franchise.
Depp says in a typed statement that he was asked to resign the role by Warner Bros. Pictures and he has respected and agreed to the request. The character briefly cameoed in the first film and served as the main villain of the second, effectively the new franchise’s Voldemort.
The studio has faced pressure for years to oust Depp, but a recent UK court ruling against Depp in a high profile libel case tied to his divorce from actress Amber Heard may have played a part in it. Depp, in his statement, says he plans to appeal and intends to prove the allegations against him are false.
Warner Bros. has issued their own statement saying: “We thank Johnny for his work on the films to date. Fantastic Beasts 3 is currently in production, and the role of Grindelwald will be recast. The film will debut in theaters worldwide in summer 2022.”