Johnny Depp Resigns From “Fantastic Beasts & Where To Find Them 3” After Losing Libel Case

Johnny Depp has withdrawn from Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them 3 at the request of Warner Bros. The move comes after his loss in a libel case against the Sun newspaper. In a signed note on social media, Depp thanked “everybody who has gifted me with their support and loyalty,” adding that he was “humbled and moved by your many messages of love and concern, particularly over the last few days.” “I wish to let you know that I have been asked to resign by Warner Bros. from my role as Grindelwald in Fantastic Beasts and I have respected and agreed to that request,” he wrote.

 

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A post shared by Johnny Depp (@johnnydepp) on Nov 6, 2020 at 8:15am PST

Depp’s exit stems from a dramatic, months-long London trial that included allegations of infidelity, abuse and even bed defecation that ensnared him and his ex-wife, Amber Heard. In this week’s decision, the judge said a Sun headline calling Depp a “wife-beater” was “substantially true.”  He’ll be ok though because his contract allows for him to get his full salary, $10 million, whether the movie is made or not. He had shot one scene for the movie so far. 

The new sequel is due in 2022.