Johnny Depp discusses feeling shunned after resigning from Fantastic Beasts

In November 2020, Hollywood actor Johnny Depp was asked by Warner Bros. to resign from his role in the Fantastic Beasts franchise following a high-profile legal battle regarding allegations of domestic abuse made by his ex-wife, Amber Heard. This decision came after Depp had portrayed Gellert Grindelwald in the franchise's first two films. His departure left a significant impact on his career as well as the ongoing film series. Depp has since spoken about his feelings of being 'shunned, dumped, and cancelled' in the wake of the trial, expressing that he believed the studio essentially wanted him to retire from the role altogether. Subsequently, Depp was replaced by Mads Mikkelsen, a renowned Danish actor, who felt the pressure of stepping into Depp’s shoes and acknowledged Depp as a remarkable talent in the film industry. While Depp's legal battles reached a turning point with a jury verdict in June 2022, where Heard was found to have defamed him, the implications of these events continue to resonate. Depp is also noted for making his directorial comeback in the film Modìgliani which focuses on the Italian artist's life during World War I. This return to direction highlights his resilience amidst the industry's challenges he has faced recently, and opens new prospects for his career in filmmaking.