Confirming rumors, Warner Bros. has officially announced that Hannibal and James Bond star Mads Mikkelsen will replace Johnny Depp in Fantastic Beasts 3.
Mikkelsen will play the evil wizard Gellert Grindelwald. The movie is currently filming in London. Deadline reported on the news and has more details.
Depp resigned from Fantastic Beasts 3 amid his messy lawsuit with Amber Heard. The Oscar-nominated actor is said to have been paid an 8-figure fee ($10 million or more) as part of his exit package after reportedly filming just one scene for the forthcoming magical movie.
Fantastic Beasts 3 is expected to hit theaters in summer 2022, following a delay related to Depp's exit and the search for a replacement. The film will see the return of Eddie Redmayne as Newt Scamander and Jude Law as Albus Dumbledore.