If you are working on a list of potential Grindelwald replacements, place Mads Mikkelsen at the top. Deadline reports that the Hannibal and Doctor Strange actor is in talks to step in for Johnny Depp in the role of Gellert Grindelwald in the third Fantastic Beasts movie.
The David Yates-directed Fantastic Beast 3, which already moved from November 12th 2021 to July 15th 2022, looks to keep its latest release date with a smooth transition. Sources close to Deadline say that Mikkelsen is Yates’ choice to play Grindelwald, and he is in early talks to replace Depp.
As previously reported, Warner Bros asked Johnny Depp to step down from the role of Grindelwald just days after the actor lost a heated legal battle against a British tabloid. Depp reportedly was asked to step down after shooting for just one day, but will still receive his full eight-figure salary for the film, believed to be around $10 million.
The third Fantastic Beasts film, led by Eddie Redmayne and Jude Law, is already in production.
What are your thoughts on the situation? Do you think Mikkelsen is a good choice for Grindelwald in Fantastic Beasts 3, or do you feel Johnny Depp still deserves the role? Let us know on our social channels @FlickeringMyth…
Fantastic Beasts 3 is being directed by David Yates from a screenplay by franchise creator J.K. Rowling and Steve Kloves. Eddie Redmayne, Jude Law, Ezra Miller, Alison Sudol, Dan Fogler, Katherine Waterston, and Jessica Williams are all set to return to the cast as Newt Scamander, Albus Dumbledore, Credence/Aurelius Dumbledore, Queenie Goldstein, Jacob Kowalski, Tina Goldstein, and Professor Eulalie Hicks respectively.
