Daniel Radcliffe opens up about Johnny Depp casting

He played the popular titular wizard Harry Potter, bringing the magic to the big screen for 10 years

But now Daniel Radcliffe, 28, is the latest star to wade into the row over the casting of veteran actor Johnny Depp in the latest Fantastic Beasts film, from the spin-off to the magic franchise, following his controversial divorce from Amber Heard in 2016. 

Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, he revealed he understands fans’ frustration over the bosses’ decision to bring the Pirates of the Caribbean actor back into the franchise – particularly after a Harry Potter star was caught with drugs during filming.

 

‘Understanding frustration’: Daniel Radcliffe is the latest star to wade into the row over the casting of veteran actor Johnny Depp in the latest Fantastic Beasts film

Some fans have slammed bosses’ decision to bring back the 54-year-old actor for his role as Gellert Grindelwald in the Fantastic Beasts sequel because of the abuse allegations made by ex-wife Amber.

In the shocking case, she claimed he’d been abusive towards her throughout their marriage before later dropping the allegations.

Producers did consider recasting the villain, but later decided against it as the allegations had been dropped – but Daniel can see why fans are annoyed by it.

Chatting to the publication, he said: ‘It’s a very hard thing for me. The ‘Fantastic Beasts’ producers are the ones who gave me a great start in life and an amazing job. 

Divorced: Some fan's have slammed bosses' decision to bring back the 54-year-old actor for his role as Gellert Grindelwald in the Fantastic Beasts sequel because of the abuse allegations made by ex-wife Amber Heard

Divorced: Some fan’s have slammed bosses’ decision to bring back the 54-year-old actor for his role as Gellert Grindelwald in the Fantastic Beasts sequel because of the abuse allegations made by ex-wife Amber Heard

‘I can see why people are frustrated with the response that they were given from that. I’m not saying anything that anybody hasn’t already said.’ 

The Woman in Black actor took from his own experience in the Harry Potter franchise, likening the current situation with that of the arrest of Jamie Waylett, who played bully Vincent Crabbe in six of the Potter franchise films. 

He was busted for possessing cannabis, before pleading guilty to growing the drug at his home in north west London in 2009. 

Vincent Crabbe only featured in the first six Potter franchise films and Jamie did not reprise his role following his arrest.

Back in black: Johnny Depp is set to star in the upcoming sequel to Fantastic Beasts as Gellert Grindelwald 

Back in black: Johnny Depp is set to star in the upcoming sequel to Fantastic Beasts as Gellert Grindelwald 

Daniel drew comparison with Johnny’s re-casting, suggesting that what he is accused of is ‘much greater’ than the drug bust of his fellow Potter castmate.

He continued: ‘This is a weird analogy to draw – in the NFL, there are lots of players arrested for smoking weed and there is other people’s behaviour that goes way beyond that and it’s tolerated because they’re very famous players. 

‘I suppose the thing I was struck by was, we did have a guy who was reprimanded for weed on the [original ‘Harry Potter’] film, essentially, so obviously what Johnny has been accused of is much greater than that.’  

In December, author of the hit wizarding adventure novels JK Rowling defended her decision to keep the Donnie Brasco star in the Harry Potter spin-off sequel following the abuse claims, despite revealing she considered pulling him from the film.

Considered recasting: Author of the original Harry Potter franchise and its spin off, JK Rowling, released a statement to defend her decision to keep Depp in the film

Considered recasting: Author of the original Harry Potter franchise and its spin off, JK Rowling, released a statement to defend her decision to keep Depp in the film

She wrote in a statement: ‘When Johnny Depp was cast as Grindelwald, I thought he’d be wonderful in the role. However, around the time of filming his cameo in the first movie, stories had appeared in the press that deeply concerned me and everyone most closely involved in the franchise.

‘Harry Potter fans had legitimate questions and concerns about our choice to continue with Johnny Depp in the role. As David Yates, long-time Potter director, has already said, we naturally considered the possibility of recasting.’ 

Depp and Heard split in April 2016 after 15 months of marriage amid claims of domestic abuse by Depp. They later issued a joint statement saying there was ‘never any intent of physical or emotional harm’. 

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald is scheduled for release in November 2018



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