Hollywood star Johnny Depp, announced late last evening that he will no longer be portraying the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald in the ‘Fantastic Beasts‘ franchise. His exit from the film comes days after he lost his libel case against a British tabloid that published an article in 2018 alleging he was a “wife-beater.”
The news of his exit has come as a shock to many fans who have gone on to slam production house Warner Bros for allowing Amber Heard to continue playing her part as Mera in ‘Aquaman 2’ and Zack Snider’s ‘Justice League’. Calling out the “double standards” of the production company, fans took to social media to demand Amber’s removal from the upcoming films.
Taking to Twitter to slam Depp’s removal from the role, a fan asked, “Why hasn’t WB fired Amber, too?!? Double standard!”
“So you knew from audio evidence that Amber Heard admittedly abused Johnny Depp, but she has not been removed from Aquaman 2 despite no clear evidence that he abused her. But you removed him from FB3. Wow,” another said while referring to the recent court proceedings.
Another said, “Johnny Depp is asked to resign as Grindlewald but Amber Heard, who has significant amount of evidence to point her has the perpetrator of domestic abuse, is still in Aquaman? Oh, double standards.”
“This feels a bit like a double standard considering this whole thing was much messier than we thought and Amber was totally abusive to Depp herself,” a Twitter user said.
From signing petitions to assuring to boycott ‘Aquaman 2’ if the actress is not removed, here are the angry fan reactions that came in on social media.
Johnny Depp was yelled at, beaten, mutilated, tortured, falsely accused by his abuser of crimes commited against hi… https://t.co/6lQD6ZhqHf
— never forget, never forgive (@depphead_) 1604692305000
The whole #JohnnyDepp situation is heartbreaking, looking at the case and seen what come of both sides, if he was f… https://t.co/hEgr9Sx2qQ
— BossLogic (@Bosslogic) 1604725831000
So, Johnny Depp has been fired by WB and will no longer play Grindelwald because he lost a libel case against The S… https://t.co/636Gm3OMso
— Pleasant Mars || Poha hate account (@keepupmellow) 1604736555000
No Johnny no PiratesNo Johnny no Fantastic Beasts#JusticeForJohnnyDepp https://t.co/GT1UXOEeij
— Johnny Depp Love (@JohnnyDeppLoveo) 1604714595000
Johnny Depp is asked to resign as Grindlewald but Amber Heard, who has significant amount of evidence to point her… https://t.co/wSZ6Qepoxm
— Amy (@_aaaamy) 1604737032000
@GraceRandolph I’m the biggest DC fan ever and I loved Aquaman and Amber Heard as Mera, but if WB keeps Heard as Me… https://t.co/MVdrPhpd5u
— Arrowverse Perfect Shots (@ArrowverseShots) 1604679715000
um- excuse me, sorry, i thought you said that johnny depp was fired as grindlewald and captain sparrow but amber he… https://t.co/VOvU4gh0ln
— leah (@leahmalfoyy) 1604739000000
I absolutely loathe Amber Heard , she still gets to play her role on Aquaman after admitting in tape that she abuse… https://t.co/Qx8qXauMJj
— Brie (@xStitched_Briex) 1604735391000
Johnny Depp got abused and lost his role while Amber heard who beat him got to keep her job as Mera in Aquaman 2?T… https://t.co/jrPiBT5m6M
— Erfaneh Mohammadi (@Erfaneh_Mhm) 1604732180000
We should all boycott aquaman 2 if Amber Heard is going to be present. Justice for Johny Depp♂️
— ☆unner (@OJ_Stunner) 1604734060000
Meanwhile Warner Bros’ Aquaman 2 will still prominently feature abuser Amber HeardFor some reason I feel like thi… https://t.co/P2Y4IU2qW9
— Cranberry Sauce Locator (@SourceLocator) 1604683489000
The ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ actor took to Instagram late Friday night and shared a statement, announcing that he has been asked to “resign” by Warner Bros from the ‘Fantastic Beasts’ franchise.
“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.”
He also went on to thank his fans for their “support and loyalty” during the testing times, saying, “I’d like to thank everybody who has gifted me with their support and loyalty. I have been humbled and moved by your many messages of love and concern, particularly over the last few days.”
The 57-year-old actor then went on to confirm his plan to appeal to the “surreal judgement” in the case.
“The surreal judgement of the court in the UK 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,” he wrote.
Warner Bros Studios also confirmed Depp’s departure and announced that they will cast a new actor for his role before the third instalment opens in theatres.
“‘Fantastic Beasts 3’ is currently in production, and the role of Gellert Grindelwald will be recast,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
In addition to the exit of Depp, the studio has also pushed back the release of the upcoming instalment which was scheduled for November 2021. It will now release in summer 2022.
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