Johnny Depp harbored deep discontent at having to relinquish a pivotal role in his acting career. More than four years after his abrupt departure from the "Fantastic Beasts" saga, the actor, in an interview with The Telegraph published on July 5th, unveiled the tumultuous thoughts swirling in his mind when Warner Bros. requested his exit from the franchise's third installment. "Fuck you," he reminisced, capturing the essence of his inner turmoil. "There are too many facets of me for you to destroy. If you harbor any illusions of inflicting greater pain upon me than I've already endured, you are sorely mistaken."
The studio's decision came mere days after the 62-year-old actor suffered a defeat in his libel case against The Sun in November 2020. The case revolved around an article branding him a "wife beater" in the context of his marriage to ex-wife Amber Heard. Despite Depp's vehement denial, a judge ultimately decreed that the tabloid's portrayal of the actor was "substantially true."
While Depp secured victory in a separate defamation lawsuit against Heard in 2022, his loss in the U.K.'s High Court effectively brought his involvement in the "Harry Potter" spin-off franchise to an abrupt and heart-wrenching end. "It ceased instantaneously, midst my engagement with the film," he confided to The Telegraph. "They asked me to step down, but in my mind, it felt like they were compelling me into retirement."
At that juncture, Depp—who was succeeded by Mads Mikkelsen as Gellert Grindelwald in 2022's "Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore"—released a statement expressing his "respect and agreement" to Warner Bros.' request for his resignation, while simultaneously thanking his fans for their unwavering support. "I wish to express my profound gratitude to all who have bestowed upon me their unwavering support and loyalty," he penned in an Instagram post announcing his departure. "I have been deeply humbled and moved by the outpouring of love and concern, especially in these past few days."
