JOHNNY Depp has left the Fantastic Beasts film franchise, days after losing a high profile 'wife beater' libel case in the UK against tabloid publication The Sun, which had published an article in 2018 about Depp's relationship with his ex-spouse Amber Heard.
In the high profile court judgment last week, Judge Justice Nicol ruled that the tabloid's report on allegations that he was violent towards ex-wife Amber Heard was "substantially true".
The star added in a social media post on Friday that he plans to appeal. Depp thanked fans for their “support and loyalty.” “I have been humbled and moved by your many messages of love and concern, particularly over the last few days,” he said.
“The surreal judgement of the court in the UK will not change my fight to tell the truth and I confirm that I plan to appeal,” he concluded. “My resolve remains strong and I intend to prove that the allegations against me are false. My life and career will not be defined by this moment in time.”
Film studio Warner Bros confirmed Depp's departure and said that the role of the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald will now be re-cast before the third installment opens in theaters. The studio has also pushed back the release date for the upcoming entry, which was originally set for November 2021. It will now premiere in the summer of 2022.
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them 3 is currently back up and filming in the UK after being put on hold earlier in the year due to coronavirus.
English actors Eddie Redmayne and Jude Law will reprise their roles as Newt Scamander and Albus Dumbledore respectively.
The action will take place in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, after the first film was set in New York City and the second movie – The Crimes of Grindelwald – took place in Paris.
Author J K Rowling has not commented on Depp's departure from the franchise as of press time. – The Vibes, November 7, 2020
