By Following Johnny Depp’s exit from the future of the Fantastic Beasts franchise, rumors of Mads Mikkelsen being in talks to take up the mantle of Gellert Grindelwald are beginning to surface.
In a recent development of two years’ worth of controversy, Depp lost his libel case against News Group Newspapers, publisher of a 2018 article that accused Depp of abusive behavior in his marriage to Amber Heard. The English court’s dismissal of Depp’s case has left the ongoing question of abuse open, prompting Warner Bros’ split with the Grindelwald actor.
The show must go on, as multi-million dollar franchises are wont to do, and the crucial role of Dark Wizard Gellert Grindelwald needs recasting. With the third Fantastic Beasts film already in production, Warner Bros. are looking to fill the role lickety-split, with Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen topping the rumored list for the role. Given his Hannibal tenure and turn as one of Bond’s most-interesting villains, Mikkelsen makes a sensible choice for the charismatic and sinister Grindelwald. He’ll always be One-Eye to me though.
David Yates returns to direct the third Fantastic Beasts, from a script by JK Rowling and Steve Kloves. With production ramping up in the UK following a coronavirus-induced delay, expect to hear confirmation of Mikkelsen’s casting soon.
Source: Entertainment Weekly