When we are huge fans of a particular movie, some of us tend to be pretty picky about who wants to star in the sequel. Then there are those who get pretty picky about which actor we want to see returning to the sequel. Let’s face it, we take our movies pretty seriously.
People are pretty excited about Fantastic Beasts 2 and though there’s a lot of buzz over Jude Law playing Dumbledore, the film is getting attention on something else. Fans were pretty disappointed that the director decided to include actor Johnny Depp.
A recent image confirmed that the Pirates of the Caribbean actor is returning to play the villainous wizard Grindelwald, even though there’s an ongoing backlash against him. The actor has been accused of domestic violence by his ex-wife Amber Heard.
But director David Yates is speaking out about the controversial casting and defending the actor. He told EW: “Honestly there’s an issue at the moment where there’s a lot of people being accused of things…”
He continued, “They’re being accused by multiple victims, and it’s compelling and frightening. With Johnny, it seems to me there was one person who took a pop at him and claimed something…”
Yates told EW, “I can only tell you about the man I see every day: He’s full of decency and kindness, and that’s all I see. Whatever accusation was out there doesn’t tally with the kind of human being I’ve been working with.”
The director continued defending the actor, reportedly pointing out that all of Depp’s exes—Vanessa Paradis, Lori Anne Allison, and Winona Ryder—all came to the actor’s defence.
He told reports, “It’s very different than the other cases where there are multiple accusers over many years that need to be examined and we need to reflect on our industry that allows that to roll on year in and year out.”
The director had a lot to say about Johnny, all defending the actor. He also told reports, “Johnny isn’t in that category in any shape or form. So to me, it doesn’t bear any more analysis. It’s a dead issue.”
But director David Yates isn’t the only one who is coming forward to defend Depp, author JK Rowling also had previously defended Depp’s casting.
According to news sources, the author said that she was absolutely “delighted” that the actor took the role. She also added, “He’s done incredible things with that character.” Fantastic Beasts 2 comes out in November 2018.
