Johnny Depp will not return in the next "Fantastic Beasts " installment, out in 2022.- On Instagram Friday, the actor wrote in a typed letter that he was asked to resign from his role as the franchise villain.
- The news comes days after Depp lost his libel suit against publishers of the UK newspaper, The Sun, which referred to him as a "wife-beater."
- A
Warner Bros. spokesperson confirmed to Insider that Depp's role as Grindelwald in the franchise will be recast.
Johnny Depp is out of the "Fantastic Beasts" franchise, the actor announced Friday.
"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," Depp wrote in a typed letter, shared to Instagram.
Depp stepped down from the "
The allegations, which Depp has repeatedly denied, are in connection to his ex Amber Heard, whom he wed in 2015 in a private ceremony. A year later, however, Heard filed for divorce, accusing Depp of domestic abuse.
Depp sued the newspaper for its 2018 article, "Gone Potty: How can JK Rowling be 'genuinely happy' casting wife-beater Johnny Depp in the new Fantastic Beasts film?" denying any allegations made against him.
"The fact remains I was falsely accused, which I why I'm suing the Sun newspaper for defamation for repeating false accusations," Depp told Entertainment Weekly at the time.
Depp said "Harry Potter" author J.K. Rowling, who serves as a screenwriter and producer on the "Fantastic Beasts" franchise, had "seen the evidence" and knew he was falsely accused. Rowling previously wrote a lengthy statement on her personal website defending Depp's casting in 2017.
In his Instagram post, Depp said he plans to appeal the ruling.
The full letter reads:
In light of recent events, I would like to make the following short statement.
Firstly, I'd like to thank everybody who has gifted me with the support and loyalty.
I have been humbled and moved by your many messages of love and concern, particularly over the last few days.
Secondly, 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.
Finally, I wish to say this.
The surreal judgment of the court in the U.K. 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.
Thank you for reading.
Sincerely,
Johnny Depp
Depp played Gellert Grindelwald in the "Harry Potter" prequel spinoff franchise, which followed the dark wizard during his rise to power. He last starred as the character in 2018's "
A Warner Bros.' spokesperson confirmed to Insider that Depp's role will be recast and that the third movie in the franchise, which had already began production, will be released in 2022.
"We thank Johnny for his work on the films to date," the studio said in a statement to Insider. "The film will debut in theaters worldwide in the summer of 2022."