Johnny Depp has revealed he has been fired from his Fantastic Beasts role after losing the Amber Heard ‘wife-beater’ libel trial – in the first sign his career has been damaged by the case.
Depp, 57, was said to have had a ‘monster side’ by a judge who said he did beat Amber 12 times as he lost his £5million libel trial.
In a bombshell statement posted last night from London he said he would battle the court judgement against him, declaring ‘My life and career will not be defined by this moment in time’.
He is understood to have earned £15.2million ($20million) for each film he appears in.
But Warner Bros taking the hard stance against him will spark speculation other big studios could be set to drop the star.
Depp announced: ‘In light of recent events, I would like to make the following short statement. Firstly I’d like to thank everybody who has gifted me with their support and loyalty. I have been humbled and moved by your many messages of love and concern, particularly over the last few days.
‘Secondly, I wish to let you know that i have been asked to resign by Warner Bros. from my role as Grindelwald in Fantastic Beasts and I have respected that and agreed to that request.
‘Finally I wish to say this. The surreal judgement of the court in the UK will not change my fight to tell the truth and I confirm that I plan to appeal.
‘My resolve remains strong and I intend to prove that the allegations against me are false. My life and career will not be defined by this moment in time. Thank you for reading. Sincerely Johnny Depp.’
Warner Bros said the role of Grindelwald in the films would be recast but said production had already started.
It raised speculation some of the movie could need to be reshot, depending on how much had been already filmed.
In a statement, the film studio said: ‘Johnny Depp will depart the Fantastic Beasts franchise. We thank Johnny for his work on the films to date. Fantastic Beasts 3 is currently in production, and the role of Gellert Grindelwald will be recast. The film will debut in theatres worldwide in the summer of 2022.’
The news could see Depp lose several other endorsements, including his lucrative $5million Dior deal to be the face of their popular cologne Sauvage.
His case could mirror those of actors like Kevin Spacey who saw brands desert them in the wake of explosive legal battles.