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Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald and Johnny Depp's Beastly Behavior?


J.K. Rowling has news for the fans that are upset that Johnny Depp is still playing Gindelwald in the sequel to Fantastic Beasts, Fantastic Beasts:The Crimes of Grindelwald. Not because of Johnny’s potential to show up with some outrageous and outlandish characterization but because of stories of domestic abuse and acts of violence perpetrated by Depp against Amber Heard.

 The author linked to her blog from twitter explaining that despite concern about the allegations, she and the film producers stood by their casting decision. 


Rowling basically says that knowing what she knows, she’s satisfied and happy to have Depp on board. 
According to Variety 
“Depp was accused of domestic abuse during his divorce from Amber Heard, which was settled in January. He denied the allegations and at the time of the settlement the couple issued a statement saying “there was never any intent of physical or emotional harm” by either party.”
“‘Harry Potter’ fans had legitimate questions and concerns about our choice to continue with Johnny Depp in the role,” she said. “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.”
She added that she has wanted to address the issue with fans but only felt able to do so now.
“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 [Depp and Heard], 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.”
Rowling said she understood that some fans would still not be happy with Depp’s inclusion: “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.”

David Yates, the director and producer David Heyman echoed Rowling and Warner Bros.’ issued their own statement. 
“None of us involved in Fantastic Beasts would ever let our appreciation of talent obscure other, far more important considerations. We recognized the magnitude of the issues raised and understood the strength of feeling expressed. We hoped and strived at all times to be sensitive to both parties. We stand by our decision to have Johnny in the films.”

 I’ll be honest. I won’t be seeing Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald but for me the decision was easy and had nothing to do with Depp. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, despite the fact that J.K. Rowling wrote the script, despite the presence of Eddie Redmayne and Colin Farrell, was boring. The emphasis on huge, splashy CGI effects instead of the story turned me off. Seeing the sequel? Nah, I won’t be bothering. No moral dilemma whatsoever. 

 How about you? Is Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald on your watch list? If so, the film is set for release on November 18 with a cast that includes not only Depp and many of the predecessor’s actors—Redmayne, Waterstone, Farrell and Ezra Miller of course—but new additions like Zoe Kravitz as Leta Lestrange and Jude Law as Albus Dumbledore.