JK Rowling has broken her silence on the controversy surrounding Johnny Depp's role in the Fantastic Beasts series. Depp's role as Grindelwald was revealed in the final moments of last year's Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, sparking anger among fans in light of the abuse allegations made against Depp by his now ex-wife Amber Heard.
In a post on her personal website today, Rowling addressed the controversy and defended Depp's role in the series, while acknowledging fans' concerns. "When Johnny Depp was cast as Grindelwald, I thought he'd be wonderful in the role," she wrote. "However, around the time of filming his cameo in the first movie, stories had appeared in the press that deeply concerned me and everyone most closely involved in the franchise.
"Harry Potter fans had legitimate questions and concerns about our choice to continue with Johnny Depp in the role. As David Yates, long-time Potter director, has already said, we naturally considered the possibility of recasting. I understand why some have been confused and angry about why that didn't happen."
Rowling went on to admit that "the inability to speak openly to fans about this issue has been difficult, frustrating and at times painful" for her, but "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. Based on our understanding of the circumstances, 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."
While Rowling acknowledged that some fans would remain unsatisfied by Depp's ongoing role, "conscience isn't governable by committee. Within the fictional world and outside it, we all have to do what we believe to be the right thing."
Heard filed for divorce from Depp last May, the same week she was granted a temporary restraining order against the actor. Last August, the pair reached a settlement outside of court and released a joint statement, calling their relationship "intensely passionate and, at times, volatile, but always bound by love. Neither party has made false accusations for financial gain. There was never any intent of physical or emotional harm."
Update 12/7 1.03pm:
Statement from Warner Bros
We are of course aware of reports that surfaced around the end of Johnny Depp's marriage, and take seriously the complexity of the issues involved.This matter has been jointly addressed by both parties, in a statement in which they said "there was never any intent of physical or emotional harm." Based on the circumstances and the information available to us, we, along with the filmmakers, continue to support the decision to proceed with Johnny Depp in the role of Grindelwald in this and future films.
Statement from David Yates, Director, and David Heyman, Producer
None of us involved in Fantastic Beasts would ever let our appreciation of talent obscure other, far more important considerations. We recognised the magnitude of the issues raised and understood the strength of feeling expressed.We hoped and strived at all times to be sensitive to both parties.
