|
 In a statement on her personal website, Rowling said filmmakers
had considered recasting the role of villain Gellert Grindelwald
for "Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald," the sequel to
2016's "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them".
But she said the circumstances of Depp's 2016 divorce from
actress Amber Heard were private and should be respected.
The Warner Bros movie, due to be released in November 2018, is
the second of a planned five movie spinoff franchise from the
blockbuster "Harry Potter" films.
"'Harry Potter' fans had legitimate questions and concerns about
our choice to continue with Johnny Depp in the role," Rowling
wrote.
"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.
"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," Rowling said.
[to top of second column] |
Depp's marriage to Heard ended in divorce amid bitter allegations of
domestic abuse and blackmail.
After reaching a private settlement in August 2016, the couple
issued a joint statement saying their relationship was "intensely
passionate and at times volatile but always bound by love," and that
there was "never any intent of physical or emotional harm."
Warner Bros. said in a statement on Thursday that it supported the
decision to keep Depp. Director David Yates and producer David
Heyman also said in a joint statement that while recognizing "the
magnitude of the issues raised" they stood by the decision to cast
Depp.
Depp's representatives did not immediately respond to a request for
comment on Thursday.
(Reporting by Jill Serjeant, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)
[© 2017 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2017 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |
