Well, based on the early tracking numbers for ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,’ it seems that Warners Bros will most likely be very happy when the JK Rowling penned prequel to the ‘Harry Potter’ franchise hits theaters in a few weeks, and it will help justify their decision to green light the sequel, and for JK herself to be planning another 3 on top of that (for a grand total of 5 movies.) What’s more, apparently there is more than just green lighting the sequel that has recently been happening for the ‘Fantastic Beasts’ franchise, apparently they have also just made a casting deal. According to Deadline, Warner Bros has just added another A-list actor to the franchise in a co-starring role, and believe it or not it is none other than Johnny Depp himself, though who exactly the man will be playing has not yet been revealed.
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And yet… there are some rumors about who Depp is playing, and those same rumors claim that Depp might even be briefly seen in the first ‘Fantastic Beasts‘ film. If rumors are true (SPOILERS AHEAD!!) than Depp might just be playing the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald, who we learn in the ‘Harry Potter’ books was a big bad back in the era that ‘Fantastic Beasts’ takes place in, and was once a good friend of Dumbledore, who was secretly in love with the man. Eventually Dumbledore had to face down his old friend/ secret crush, and after doing so secured the Elder Wand from the man, though whether we will see that epic battle in the ‘Fantastic Beasts’ films is yet to be known, though it would be pretty cool. All we know that it in the first ‘Fantastic Beasts’ we see Grindelwald pretty early in the movie from behind, and some are claiming it is actually Depp. And this would all work out as Grindelwald’s rise to power would be taking place in Europe, while the first ‘Fantastic Beasts’ film seems to be taking place entirely in America, thus leaving the door open for the sequels to focus more on the European side of the Wizarding world once more.
What do you think? Would they really cast Johnny Depp to play Gellert Grindelwald? Who else might he be playing? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!
Nick is a freelance writer based in Los Angeles, who belongs to the privileged few who enjoyed the ending to ‘Lost.’ For more of Nick’s thoughts and articles, follow him on Twitter.
