Johnny Depp’s Fantastic Beasts character recast

After departing the Fantastic Beasts franchise, Johnny Depp’s character Gellert Grindelwald has officially been recast.

Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen will replace Johnny Depp in the next Fantastic Beasts film.

Warner Bros. Pictures announced that the 55-year-old star – known for his roles in the James Bond film Casino Royale, Hannibal and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story – has been cast as the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald.

The third Fantastic Beasts instalment is in production outside of London. Its release date is set for July 15, 2022.

Mikkelsen’s casting comes just weeks after Warner Bros. confirmed Depp’s departure as the villain in the Harry Potter prequel series.

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Mads Mikkelsen has been recast as Gellert Grindelwald in Fantastic Beasts. Picture: Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images for RFF

“Johnny Depp will depart the Fantastic Beasts franchise. We thank Johnny for his work on the films to date,” the studio said. “Fantastic Beasts 3 is currently in production, and the role of Gellert Grindelwald will be recast. The film will debut in theatres worldwide in the summer of 2022.”

Depp also confirmed the news, explaining in a statement on social media that he accepted a request to resign.

“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.

Depp added, “I’d like to thank everybody who has gifted me with 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 concluded: “Finally, I wish to say this. The surreal judgement (sic) of the court in the UK will not change my fight to tell the truth and I confirm that I plan to appeal. 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.”

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Johnny Depp agreed to stand down but fiercely defended his innocence.

The decision came after the 57-year-old actor lost his high-stakes libel case against The Sun tabloid newspaper for labelling him a “wife beater,” as a British judge said he believed the actor had abused ex-wife Amber Heard.

Depp continues to deny all allegations of abuse.

Jude Law recently opened up about his own participation in the movie and the recasting of Depp’s character.

“It’s an enormous film, and there are many, many layers to it. It’s probably one of the biggest productions I’ve ever worked on,” Law, 47, told Entertainment Tonight.

“And in a situation like this, you defer to the studio. That’s all you can do. Because you have to turn up and play your part.”

Eddie Redmayne, Ezra Miller, Katherine Waterston and more also star in the project.

This story originally appeared on Fox News and has been reproduced here with permission

Originally published as Johnny Depp’s Fantastic Beasts character recast