It’s been rumored before, but it was still shocking to hear now it’s official. Johnny Depp today announced on social media that Warner Bros. has asked him to step aside from his role as Gellert Grindelwald for Fantastic Beasts 3 and future instalments of the Wizarding World franchise, and he has respectfully agreed to their request. A reason for his dismissal hasn’t been given, but it’s not hard to work out.
This week, Depp’s UK libel case against British tabloid newspaper The Sun was thrown out, with the judge finding the Pirates of the Caribbean star guilty of domestically abusing ex-wife Amber Heard. Depp has presented much evidence suggesting that Heard emotionally and physically abused him throughout the case, however, which has ensured that many people remain on his side.
Given this latest blow to his career and reputation, Depp fans are flocking to sign a new Change.org petition which calls for WB to rehire the actor as Grindelwald, as a symbol of support and solidarity with male victims of domestic abuse. At the time of writing, the petition has garnered 3,380 signatures, which means it’s very close to reaching its initial goal of 5000. Creator Lepplady Larson argues in the petition’s description that Depp is a “wrongfully persecuted man” and explains why his firing from Fantastic Beasts 3 is the wrong decision for the studio to take.
“[T]he damage is done. Not just to Johnny, but every male survivor of domestic abuse. By finding against Johnny and his preponderance of evidence in the face of Heard’s abysmal lack of evidence, by saying that he believed Amber Heard because she’s a woman, the judge has made it impossible for abused me to come forward in search of support.
And by dumping Johnny, WB sends the message that they support abusers, and have no support whatsoever for the true victim. That’s not acceptable, and we must come together and raise our voices. Let’s send WB the message that we DO support not just Johnny Depp but every survivor of domestic support, including Men.”
WB has released a brief statement since Depp’s Instagram post which confirms he has left the franchise, though they did not mention that they were the ones to push him away. This statement also revealed that Fantastic Beasts 3 has been held back by another year and is now scheduled to arrive in theaters in summer 2022. The role of Grindelwald will be recast, but it doesn’t seem like they’ve begun that process yet. Who knows if this petition will cause them to rethink their strategy at all.
from Movies – We Got This Covered https://ift.tt/3ex6UZB
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