Johnny Depp recently announced that he'd parted ways with the Fantastic Beasts franchise after being asked to "retire" from the role of Gellert Grindelwald in the currently shooting third instalment, and costar Jude Law has now responded to the news.
The actor, who will reprise his The Crimes of Grindelwald role as a younger take on Albus Dumbledore, was asked about Depp’s departure and the news that the part of Grindelwald would be recast during an interview to promote his new film The Nest, and gave a fairly diplomatic reply.
“It’s an enormous film, and there are many, many layers to it. It’s probably one of the biggest productions I’ve ever worked on,” Law told ET. “And in a situation like this, you defer to the studio. That’s all you can do. Because you have to turn up and play your part.”
“It was unusual for me because, in fact, on this particular role,” the Captain Marvel actor continued, “Johnny had actually only done a day’s filming, I think, on his own.”
It's hardly surprising that Law decided not to directly address the reason for Depp's firing, although it does sound like he may not have been fully behind the studio's decision.
“In a franchise like this, it’s the studio and the company that make the big decisions,” he reiterated. “And you have to go along with those, because we’re just a member of the team.”
It looks like Mads Mikkelsen (Rogue One, Doctor Strange) will be stepping in to take over the villainous role, so Law probably won't be too put out! Fantastic Beasts 3 is now set to hit theatres on July 15, 2022.