Johnny Depp addresses losing the role of Gellert Grindelwald in the Fantastic Beasts franchise and reveals his perspective on his firing from the project. Indeed, Depp’s exit from the third Fantastic Beasts movie has been subject to controversy since his 2022 trial, yet this is the first time the actor has spoken directly about his departure.

In an interview with The Telegraph, Depp divulges how his legal troubles swayed the suits at Warner Bros. to replace him as the principal antagonist of the Fantastic Beasts trilogy before filming was completed on the series’ third entry. Though the actor has since gone on to rebuild his image in part, the “What if?” surrounding his take on Grindelwald remains in the minds of Potterheads worldwide.

It literally stopped in a millisecond, like, while I was doing the movie. They said we’d like you to resign. But what was really in my head was they wanted me to retire. F— you. There’s far too many of me to kill. If you think you can hurt me more than I’ve already been hurt you’re gravely mistaken.

What Johnny Depp’s Harry Potter Revelation Means

The Actor Was Initially Told To Resign

In 2020, Depp stood at the helm of the third Fantastic Beasts movie, ready to play Grindelwald once more and complete the trilogy—until everything came crashing down. As Depp recalls in his interview with The Telegraph, the higher-ups at Warner Bros. initially tried to sell him on resigning from the project despite filming being barely underway.

Following his exit, Depp was replaced by Casino Royale actor Mads Mikkelsen, with his total work on the movie amounting to one filmed scene. Despite this short-lived pariah status, however, Depp remains undismayed, telling The Telegraph, “Listen, they’ve said all kinds of things out there in the world about me, and it doesn’t bother me… I’m not running for office.”

Our Take On Johnny Depp’s Exit From Fantastic Beasts

The Actor’s Remarks Could Prelude A Comeback

Many fans of Depp still view his unwilling departure from Fantastic Beasts as an unfair action, particularly after the outcome of his 2022 defamation trial with Amber Heard. Depp’s candid and explicit recollection is likely to embolden the more ardent corners of his fanbase, though tensions are likely to reach the fiery heights we saw three years prior.

Furthermore, Depp’s remarks are those of a man longing to return to the spotlight. The actor will star alongside acclaimed actress Penélope Cruz in the upcoming Marc Webb film Day Drinker, from which images have surfaced showing Depp sporting long gray hair and a beard—a far cry from his typical look.

Even half a decade later, Johnny Depp‘s firing from Fantastic Beasts still rubs some fans the wrong way, especially those who grew up loving his work in the Alice in Wonderland duology and the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. Though only time will tell as to the actor behind Gellert Grindelwald’s future, we at least now have his full, unfiltered perspective on his sudden departure.