Mads Mikkelsen
(Picture: PA)Mads Mikkelsen is reportedly set to replace Johnny Depp as Gellert Grindelwald in Fantastic Beasts 3.
Deadline today reported that Danish star Mikkelsen, 54, is in talks to join the cast of the third edition of the JK Rowling fantasy series.
Production of the third film was derailed by Depp’s high-profile libel action against the Sun newspaper.
Depp, 57, lost his libel case against the Sun after the paper called him a “wife-beater” in stories of alleged abuse against his ex-wife Amber Heard, 34.
Mikkelsen in Hannibal
Following the trial, Depp confirmed he was asked to resign by Warner Bros, writing on Instagram: “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 and agreed to that request.”
The news was also confirmed by Warner Bros.
Depp is only reported to have only shot one scene for the new film - filming for which was also postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The film release date has also been put back to July 2022.
Johnny Depp leaves court
REUTERSHannibal star Mikkelsen is reportedly director David Yate’s first choice to play Grindelwald, a “dark wizard” and main protagonist of the second film of the franchise - Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.
Colin Farrell, who played Grindelwald in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, is currently starring in the new Batman film. He is playing villain Penguin - and so unable to return to Fantastic Beasts, reports suggest.
The franchise also stars Eddie Redmayne, Jude Law and Ezra Miller.
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