Following the official casting of Mads Mikkelsen as the new Grindelwald for Fantastic Beasts 3, the acclaimed Danish actor has finally opened up about his decision to take on the role despite the controversy surrounding Johnny Depp’s departure from the project. Speaking with EW, Mikkelson believes that even though he has to make the character his own, it’s still important that his version of Grindelwald should have some kind of connection to Depp’s previous work.
“Well it’s going to be me, so that’s a difference,” Mikkelsen said on the differences between his and Depp’s Grindelwald. “No, this is the tricky part. We’re still working it out. There has to be a bridge between what Johnny did and what I’m going to do. And at the same time, I also have to make it my own. But also we have to find a few links [to the previous version of the character] and some bridges so it doesn’t completely detach from what he’s already masterfully achieved.”
Sources previously reported that David Yates, currently at work shooting the next installment in the Harry Potter prequel franchise, came up with a list of potential actors to replace Depp in the villainous role and that Mikkelsen was reportedly his first choice. Even though Mikkelsen initially shot down rumors of his casting, it was eventually confirmed that the 54-year-old Danish star would take over the part. Depp was asked to depart after losing his lawsuit against a British tabloid for libel, but is reportedly still being paid his full salary for the film despite only having shot one day of film.
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Fantastic Beasts 3 will again feature the return of Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne as Newt Scamander, Katherine Waterston as Tina Goldstein, Dan Fogler as Jacob Kowalski, Alison Sudol as Queenie Goldstein, Ezra Miller as Credence, Jude Law as Albus Dumbledore, and Jessica Williams as Professor Eulalie Hicks.
The third installment will again be directed by David Yates from a screenplay written by J.K. Rowling and Steve Kloves. The third movie in the franchise is currently filming in the UK.
The previous film in the Harry Potter prequel franchise, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, earned $653 million at the worldwide box office. The first two Fantastic Beasts movies were directed by David Yates, from a screenplay by J.K. Rowling, and produced by David Heyman, J.K. Rowling, Steve Kloves, and Lionel Wigram.
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Fantastic Beasts 3 is set to hit theaters on July 15, 2022.
