J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros. Issue Statements on Johnny Depp's Casting in FANTASTIC BEASTS Sequel

There are a lot of Harry Potter fans who aren't happy that Johnny Depp is still attached to play Gellert Grindelwald in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. The reasoning behind this goes back two years when Depp’s ex-wife Amber Heard made domestic violence accusations against the actor. As you know, Hollywood is currently going through a cleansing process of anyone who has been accused of sexual harassment in any form. 

Director David Yates made his own statement about Depp and defending the fact that they kept him on board. Now Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros. are coming to Johnny Depp's defense. They are obviously sticking by their decision to keep the actor in the role.

Here's what Rowling had to say on her website:

When Johnny Depp was cast as Grindelwald, I thought he’d be wonderful in the role. However, around the time of filming his cameo in the first movie, stories had appeared in the press that deeply concerned me and everyone most closely involved in the franchise.

Harry Potter fans had legitimate questions and concerns about our choice to continue with Johnny Depp in the role. As David Yates, long-time Potter director, has already said, we naturally considered the possibility of recasting. I understand why some have been confused and angry about why that didn’t happen.

The huge, mutually supportive community that has grown up around Harry Potter is one of the greatest joys of my life. For me personally, the inability to speak openly to fans about this issue has been difficult, frustrating and at times painful. However, the agreements that have been put in place to protect the privacy of two people, both of whom have expressed a desire to get on with their lives, must be respected.  Based on our understanding of the circumstances, the filmmakers and I are not only comfortable sticking with our original casting, but genuinely happy to have Johnny playing a major character in the movies.

I’ve loved writing the first two screenplays and I can’t wait for fans to see ‘The Crimes of Grindelwald’. I accept that there will be those who are not satisfied with our choice of actor in the title role. However, conscience isn’t governable by committee. Within the fictional world and outside it, we all have to do what we believe to be the right thing.

This is what Warner Bros. said in their statement:

We are of course aware of reports that surfaced around the end of Johnny Depp’s marriage, and take seriously the complexity of the issues involved. This matter has been jointly addressed by both parties, in a statement in which they said “there was never any intent of physical or emotional harm. Based on the circumstances and the information available to us, we, along with the filmmakers, continue to support the decision to proceed with Johnny Depp in the role of Grindelwald in this and future films.

There are still fans that aren't happy with the outcome of this and here are a few responses to the statements that have been made:

This is massively disappointing, and I will not be seeing Fantastic Beasts or purchasing anything that is part of the Harry Potter franchise while this decision stands. https://t.co/mBwDKfniWG

— Whovian Feminism (@WhovianFeminism) December 7, 2017

j.k. rowling wrote a story about a boy who grew up in an abusive situation and yet continues to openly support known abuser johnny depp. harry potter's not getting any more of my money. https://t.co/lHdPTIJRVe

— General Sarah Syndulla 🚀 (@SarahDemp) December 7, 2017

ok so since the abuser and the victim got into a judicial agreement or something y'all are happy to pretend the abuse never happened????
okay
not like i expected any less from a self-serving fake woke who only speaks out in favor of human rights when it' convenient https://t.co/ROrCkqwHiU

— bebê demônio (@naishe69) December 7, 2017

The fact of the matter is, the studio has a better understanding of the situation than the rest of us. Many of the women who Depp has had relationships over the years have come to his defense after these accusations were made. David Yates even said:

"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.”

What do you think of the statements made by Rowling and Warner Bros. regarding Johnny Depp?

Via: BuzzFeed