Fantastic Beasts exit after Warner Bros request following UK ruling
BBC and Variety reported that days after the UK Sun libel loss, Warner Bros asked @johnnydepp to resign as Grindelwald and he agreed. The role was later recast with Mads Mikkelsen. Coverage tied the exit to the @amberheard-related UK case.
Editorial timeline of public reporting, not a legal finding.
- UK ruling intensifies pressure on Fantastic Beasts role - BBC reported that the High Court loss against The Sun quickly intensified questions about @johnnydepp remaining in Fantastic Beasts. Warner Bros confirmed his exit days later. Johnny Depp leaves Fantastic Beasts film franchise
- Resigns at Warner Bros request; role to be recast - Variety and BBC quoted @johnnydepp's Instagram statement that Warner Bros asked him to resign as Grindelwald and that he agreed. The studio confirmed the departure and said the role would be recast. Johnny Depp Forced to Exit Fantastic Beasts Franchise
- Reports: Mads Mikkelsen to replace Depp as Grindelwald - Variety reported Mads Mikkelsen was in talks to replace @johnnydepp as Grindelwald in Fantastic Beasts 3, continuing coverage of the exit that followed the UK ruling tied to allegations involving @amberheard. Johnny Depp: Mads Mikkelsen in Talks as Fantastic Beasts Replacement