The controversy surrounding Johnny Depp and his allegedly violent relationship with ex-wife Amber Heard has been making headlines for what seems like decades, at this point. Most people have chosen sides and are content with just arguing about it on social media. But in terms of real-world impact, the legal battles and alleged abuse led to Warner Bros. parting ways with Johnny Depp when it comes to his planned role in the new “Fantastic Beasts” sequel. Now, Mads Mikkelsen has taken over the pivotal role in the threequel, but he’s not really interested in talking about the behind-the-scenes drama.
Speaking to The Times, Mads Mikkelsen talked about the situation regarding “Fantastic Beasts 3.” Long story, short—Warner Bros. called him up, offered him a role in a big movie, he accepted, and that’s that. Except this is a special situation where a major worldwide star was vacating a role due to some serious allegations and legal battles that have made headlines around the globe. But again, in terms of what Mikkelsen cares about, he took a job that was offered, and he’s not friendly enough with Depp to really speak with the actor about anything else, including ‘Fantastic Beasts.’
“I mean, obviously, they were going to do the film, and obviously he was not involved anymore,” Mikkelsen said. “But I didn’t have a dog in that fight. And I don’t know what happened [in his private life], and I don’t know if it was fair, him losing the job, but I just knew that the show was going on, and I would’ve loved to have talked to him about it if I had the chance, but I just don’t know him in that sense.”
He continued, “But they called me and they were obviously in a hurry, and I loved the script and so said yes. And I know it was controversial for many people, but that’s just the way it plays out once in a while.”
You can’t help but respect Mikkelsen’s matter-of-fact responses to these sorts of questions about “Fantastic Beasts.” The film isn’t expected to arrive in theaters for another year, but clearly, this is a situation that the actor will have to speak about hundreds of times during that time. But, by not even commenting on it, one way or another, he’s keeping the discussion about the role and the franchise, which has to be the easiest way to do things, certainly.
In the film, Mikkelsen takes over the role of Grindelwald, which has proven to be one of the marquee roles in the “Harry Potter” prequel franchise, opposite Jude Law’s Dumbledore. With the Depp stuff not even worth discussing, according to Mikkelsen, now the questions can turn to J.K. Rowling’s controversies and the supposed intimate relationship between Grindelwald and Dumbledore that seems to be glossed over in the films, right?
You can see Mads Mikkelsen take over the role of Grindelwald in “Fantastic Beasts 3,” which is expected to arrive in theaters on July 15, 2022.