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Fantastic Beasts 3: Mads Mikkelsen Officially Cast As Grindelwald To Replace Johnny Depp

Fantastic Beasts 3: Mads Mikkelsen Officially Cast As Grindelwald To Replace Johnny Depp

Mads Mikkelsen is set to star as Gellert Grindelwald in the third instalment of the Fantastic Beasts franchise.

Joanna Freedman

Joanna Freedman

Mads Mikkelsen is officially joining the cast of Fantastic Beasts 3, replacing Johnny Depp, Warner Bros. has confirmed.

Depp resigned from the franchise earlier this month after losing a libel case against The Sun, which branded him a "wife beater".

Now, Danish actor Mikkelsen, famed for starring in Casino Royale and Hannibal, is taking up the role of Gellert Grindelwald instead.

The film is set for release in summer 2022.

Mikkelsen is known for starring in Casino Royale and Hannibal (
PA)

And fans will be eagerly waiting to see how the actor depicts the iconic role of Grindelwald in the upcoming movie.

Depp first appeared as Grindelwald in 2016's Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and came back for the titular role in 2018, when Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald dropped.

The Harry Potter prequel films also star famous faces including Eddie Redmayne and Jude Law as Newt Scamander and Albus Dumbledore, respectively.

The news comes not long after Depp was told he couldn't appeal the High Court's ruling which confirmed that he had assaulted his ex-wife, Amber Heard.

After losing the case, the 57-year-old was also ordered to pay the Sun, News Group Newspapers a sum of £630,000 for its legal fees.

Depp previously starred as Grindelwald in two movies (
Warner Bros)

Mikkelsen, who also starred in Marvel's Doctor Strange, will be reshooting after Depp previously filmed in the role for one day back in September, before leaving the franchise.

Despite his short time on set, Depp will also still get his full salary for the role, seeing as he was on a 'pay-or-play contract' - which stipulates he's fully compensated even if the film is never made, or he isn't in it.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Pirates of The Caribbean actor will still bag the money from his eight-figure deal with the studio, and is set to walk away with at least $10 million (£7.6m) in his pocket.

We don't know the plot of the new movie yet, although we do know it will involve Grindelwald causing more trouble.

We can't wait to see what Mikkelsen brings to the role.

Featured Image Credit: NBC

Topics: johnny depp, TV Entertainment