FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE CRIMES OF GRINDELWALD Director Defends Keeping Johnny Deep in the Role of Grindelwald
After the first cast photo of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald was released there was an uproar from fans that they kept Johnny Depp in the role of Gellert Grindelwald. Why? Because Depp’s ex-wife Amber Heard made domestic violence accusations against the actor two years ago and since Hollywood is currently cleansing itself from anyone who has been accused of sexual harassment in any form, some people feel that Depp should've been replaced.
Well, veteran Harry Potter franchise director David Yates recently opened up about Johnny Depp and defends keeping him on board. In an interview with EW, he said:
“Honestly, there’s an issue at the moment where there’s a lot of people being accused of things, they’re being accused by multiple victims, and it’s compelling and frightening. With Johnny, it seems to me there was one person who took a pop at him and claimed something. I can only tell you about the man I see every day: He’s full of decency and kindness, and that’s all I see. Whatever accusation was out there doesn’t tally with the kind of human being I’ve been working with.”
Yates went on to talk about how several of Depp's exes have come out to defend him including Vanessa Paradis, Lori Anne Allison and Winona Ryder.
“By testament, some of the women in [Depp’s] life have said the same thing — ‘that’s not the human being we know,' It’s very different [than cases] where there are multiple accusers over many years that need to be examined and we need to reflect on our industry that allows that to roll on year in and year out. Johnny isn’t in that category in any shape or form. So to me, it doesn’t bear any more analysis. It’s a dead issue.”
I have no idea if these comments are going to smooth things over with the fans that want Depp gone, but the studio obviously isn't going to let him go. What do you think about what Yates had to say about Depp?
Yates is currently shooting the film in London and this is the synopsis that was previously released:
At the end of the first film, the powerful Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald (Depp) was captured by MACUSA (Magical Congress of the United States of America), with the help of Newt Scamander (Redmayne). But, making good on his threat, Grindelwald escaped custody and has set about gathering followers, most unsuspecting of his true agenda: to raise pure-blood wizards up to rule over all non-magical beings.
In an effort to thwart Grindelwald’s plans, Albus Dumbledore (Law) enlists his former student Newt Scamander, who agrees to help, unaware of the dangers that lie ahead. Lines are drawn as love and loyalty are tested, even among the truest friends and family, in an increasingly divided wizarding world.
Fantastic Beasts: The Crime of Grindelwald is set to be released on November 16, 2018.