Mads Mikkelsen Will Definitely Replace Johnny Depp in Fantastic Beasts 3
The Danish actor known for his roles in Hannibal and Casino Royale has signed on to play the role of evil wizard Grindelwald
In recent weeks, the rumour mill has been purporting that Mads Mikkelsen would replace Johnny Depp on the third Fantastic Beasts film. Well, now it's been made official: according to recent reports, the Danish actor, best known for his work on TV's Hannibal and for his villainous turn in 2006's Casino Royale, has signed on to take over from Depp – who was asked to resign from by Warner Bros. following the loss of a libel case against newspaper The Sun – in the role of evil wizard Grindelwald.
Is this good news? It's certainly news. Well, if you absolutely have to make a third Fantastic Beasts film (though based on the previous box office returns it's not clear whether anyone is bothered), it might as well be somebody with the inherent gravitas and watchability of Mads Mikkelsen, who has proven time and time again that he's capable of being really, really evil to delicious effect. Also, it doesn't hurt that he's one of the best actors around.
How will they explain Grindelwald's new look? Given the film is set in a world where people are constantly changing their appearances, it shouldn't be too hard (especially since the first film Grindelwald was played by Colin Farrell for the entire length of the film). A potion of some sort. A wave of the wand. You know the score.
Fantastic Beasts 3's official title has yet to be announced, but will once again be helmed by filmmaker David Yates, veteran of the Harry Potter series, with a script by J.K. Rowling. Eddie Redmayne and Katherine Waterson will return to reprise their roles. At least now we can sit in hope of a fantastic dance sequence, though?
Fantastic Beasts 3 is set for release in 2021.
