The Fallout That Shook the Wizarding World

In a candid reflection, Johnny Depp has finally opened up about his surprising exit from the *Fantastic Beasts* franchise, nearly five years since the event that shocked fans and industry insiders alike.

Depp's Magical Journey Comes to a Halt

Depp's journey in the *Harry Potter* universe began in 2016 with *Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them*, where he was unveiled as the notorious Gellert Grindelwald. After reprising the role in 2018’s *The Crimes of Grindelwald*, Depp was set to return for *The Secrets of Dumbledore* in 2023. However, in November 2020, Warner Bros. unceremoniously asked him to step down due to the swirling negative attention surrounding his legal battles with ex-wife Amber Heard.

What Depp Thinks About His Dismissal

Reflecting on this abrupt departure during an interview with *The Telegraph*, Depp stated, "They’ve said all kinds of things out there in the world about me, and it doesn’t bother me. I’m not running for office. It literally stopped in a millisecond while I was doing the movie. They said we’d like you to resign. But what was really in my head was they wanted me to retire." Depp’s response to the ultimatum was brutally honest: "F*** you. There’s far too many of me to kill. If you think you can hurt me more than I’ve already been hurt, you’re gravely mistaken."

A Fortune in Disguise?

Shortly after Depp's exit, Mads Mikkelsen stepped into the role of Grindelwald. Interestingly, Depp may have dodged a bullet, as *The Secrets of Dumbledore* received dismal reviews and flopped at the box office, earning a mere $400 million globally—the lowest of all entries in the Wizarding World franchise.

What's Next for the Wizarding World?

In the wake of the underwhelming response to the *Fantastic Beasts* trilogy, Warner Bros. is pivoting towards a fresh start, with a new adaptation of J.K. Rowling's beloved *Harry Potter* book series in the works for HBO. Meanwhile, fans can catch the *Fantastic Beasts* trilogy streaming on Max.