JK Rowling’s novels are sacred and their adaptations should be treated with respect. Therefore, Johnny Depp should be no where near Fantastic Beasts 2.
Deadline reports Warner Bros. Studios signed a deal for Johnny Depp to join the Fantastic Beasts 2 cast. Depp’s role is unconfirmed, but is widely rumored to be playing bad guy Gellert Grindelwald, according to Mashable. While Depp has played many bad guys in his career, what irks many of us Potter fans is the actor’s recent personal issues with his now ex-wife, Amber Heard.
Heard filed for divorce and subsequently accused Depp of domestic violence. The actress was demonized by the media; all of her actions were viciously picked apart. Some outlets went as far as to use a picture of Heard smiling at a friend as she left court as proof she was “lying” about the alleged abuse. Heard’s character was attacked while people came out to defend Depp. The actor was ordered to pay $7 million to Amber Heard in a divorce settlement, the entirety of which she donated to charity.
This one tweet from a Potter fan sums up everything wrong with Depp’s casting:
Depp joining a family-friendly franchise is wrong. Yes, Heard’s allegations of abuse were not proven in court. Depp denied said allegations. However, it didn’t stop the media from automatically dismissing Heard’s abuse claims and bringing up all the dirt from her past. Meanwhile, Depp keeps getting paid millions for shit movies.
JK Rowling hasn’t commented on Depp’s casting. Let’s hope she’s as displeased with Depp’s casting in Fantastic Beasts 2 as we are.