Will Johnny Depp return as Grindelwald 2023?

In the aftermath of the Johnny Depp v. Amber Heard defamation case, Mads Mikkelsen is pondering whether Depp might return to the “Fantastic Beasts” franchise.

Mikkelsen took over the role of Gellert Grindelwald for “Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore,” the third “Harry Potter” prequel film, after Depp lost a UK libel trial in November 2020 relating to abuse allegations from Amber Heard. (The film was released in March 2022.)

“Obviously, well, now the course has changed — he won the suit, the court [case] — so let’s see if he comes back,” Mikkelsen told about Depp’s possible return. “He might. I’m a big fan of Johnny. I think he’s an amazing actor, I think he did a fantastic job.”

Mikkelsen has been open about how “very intimidating” it was to put his spin on the franchise character Depp originated.

“I could not copy it,” Mikkelsen continued. “There was no way I could just copy it, because it’s so much him. It would be creative suicide. So, we had to come up with something else, something that was mine, and build a bridge between him and me. So, yes, it was intimidating. His fans were very, very sweet, but they were also very stubborn. I didn’t interact too much with them, but I could understand why they had their hearts broken.”

Rumors have swirled that Depp will also be reprising his iconic role as Jack Sparrow in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” films. However, no casting announcement has been made.

Depp is making his return to the big screen by transforming into King Louis XV for “Jeanne du Barry,” as well as helming the biopic “Modigliani” inspired by the life of painter and sculptor Amedeo Modigliani. “Modigliani” marks Depp’s second directorial feature, 25 years after the release of “The Brave” in 1997. Co-produced by Al Pacino, the film is based on a play by Dennis McIntyre and adapted for the screen by Jerzy and Mary Kromolowski (“The Pledge”).

Production will begin in Europe in Spring 2023, with casting to be announced shortly. “Modigliani” focuses on two days in Paris that marked a watershed moment for Modigliani’s career in 1916.

“The saga of Mr. Modigliani’s life is one that I’m incredibly honored, and truly humbled, to bring to the screen,” Depp said in a press statement. “It was a life of great hardship, but eventual triumph — a universally human story all viewers can identify with.”

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Depp first appeared as the villain of the Harry Potter spinoff series in 2016’s Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, later starring in The Crimes of Grindelwald.

However, shortly after The Secrets of Dumbledore began filming, Warner Bros. asked Depp to resign from the threequel in the wake of his libel loss against The Sun and legal woes against Amber Heard, after a judge ruled claims he was a “wife-beater” to be “substantially true.”

The role was filled by Mikkelsen, and while the stage has been set for the finale of the not-so-acclaimed franchise, the actor isn’t sure if he’ll return – because Depp “might” come back following his recent victory against Heard.

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Mads Mikkelsen says Johnny Depp “might” return in Fantastic Beasts 4

Speaking after receiving the Honorary Heart of Sarajevo Award at the Sarajevo Film Festival, Mikkelsen said Depp “might” reprise his original role as Grindelwald in Fantastic Beasts 4.

As per Deadline, he said: “Obviously, well, now the course has changed – he won the suit, the court [case] – so let’s see if he comes back. He might.

“I’m a big fan of Johnny. I think he’s an amazing actor, I think he did a fantastic job.”

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Mads Mikkelsen says fans were “very stubborn” over Fantastic Beasts recasting

Mikkelsen also discussed how “intimidating” it was to take over from Depp, especially after fans “had their hearts broken.”

After praising Depp, he continued: “Having said that, I could not copy it. There’s there was no way I could just copy it, because it’s so much him. It would be creative suicide.

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“So, we had to come up with something else, something that was mine, and build a bridge between him and me.

“So, yes, it was intimidating. His fans were very, very sweet, but they were also very stubborn. I didn’t interact too much with them, but I could understand why they had their hearts broken.”

Fantastic Beasts 4 has yet to be confirmed, despite plans in place for a fourth and fifth movie. Looking ahead, it’s not promising: there’s Ezra Miller’s ongoing controversies; and JK Rowling has been regularly condemned for her views on transgender women.

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