Johnny Depp Reveals He Was ‘Fired’ from ‘Fantastic Beasts’ Role: The Untold Story

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Johnny Depp, once a prominent figure in Hollywood, shares insights on his dismissal from ‘Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore’. Back in 2016, Warner Bros. and the Wizarding World franchise seemed to score a significant win by announcing that Depp would portray the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald for a brief appearance in ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’, with plans for him to be the main antagonist throughout the series of five films. This casting, however, took place just five months after Depp’s spouse, Amber Heard, filed a restraining order against him due to allegations of domestic abuse. By 2020, Warner Bros. requested that Depp step down from his role following his defeat in a libel lawsuit in the U.K., where ‘The Sun’ had accused him of being an abuser.

In an interview with The Telegraph, Johnny Depp shares his perspective on being dismissed from the movie “Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore.” Contrary to initial reports suggesting his departure was voluntary, Depp claims the studios essentially terminated him. Prior to being replaced by Mads Mikkelsen, he had filmed three scenes in London. Despite this, due to a clause in his contract guaranteeing payment regardless of film completion, he allegedly received between $10 million and $16 million. Depp spoke candidly about his feelings at the time, touched on the phenomenon of people like him seemingly being “canceled,” stating:

It halted instantly, just like that, even during filming. Warner Bros. asked for my resignation, but what struck me was their suggestion of retirement. I thought, ‘You’re wrong.’ There are too many of me to eliminate. If you believe you can inflict more pain on me than I’ve already endured, you’re sorely mistaken.

The Downfall of Johnny Depp

In a period, Johnny Depp was a globally recognized superstar, with his 2000s era highlighted by movies such as Pirates of the Caribbean, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Alice in Wonderland, cementing his position as one of Hollywood’s most esteemed actors. Yet, the actor’s stardom began to wane in the mid-2010s due to disappointments like The Lone Ranger and The Tourist, making some doubt his marketability. This uncertainty was further exacerbated when allegations of domestic abuse were made against Depp by his then-wife Amber Heard in 2018, during the promotion of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. In April 2018, Dan Wootton, the executive editor of The Sun, penned an article criticizing Johnny Depp’s casting in the Harry Potter spin-off, labeling him as a “wife-beater” in the original version of the story before it was revised.

In simpler terms, it seems that Warner Bros.’ decision to let go of Johnny Depp wasn’t about making a moral standpoint, but more about practicality and financial considerations. If Depp hadn’t sued The Sun over the libel claims, Warner Bros. might not have dismissed him because they could have maintained plausible deniability, given that he had never been convicted before. This is possibly why Disney and Marvel Studios didn’t drop actor Jonathan Majors from his role as Kang the Conqueror until a court verdict was announced. However, Depp choosing to take the case to court and losing meant that the accusations of domestic abuse against him were substantiated in a court of law. Warner Bros. could no longer claim ignorance or argue that he was merely guilty in the public’s eyes when he had an actual legal ruling against him.

The Secrets of Dumbledore” struggled at the box office, effectively concluding the spin-off series. Despite Johnny Depp’s ongoing legal issues not directly impacting the film’s performance, his recent movies have not been successful, indicating a challenging revival for his career. Depp has been portraying himself as a victim of a supposed witch hunt since his court case, but this image may be hindering his professional relationships and financial opportunities due to his difficult work style and questionable market value.

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2025-07-07 13:32