Rowling supports casting Depp

Author J.K. Rowling has voiced her support for Johnny Depp and his casting in an upcoming sequel to Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, after earlier allegations of domestic abuse made against the actor. Some Rowling fans have said they would boycott Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald after Depp’s ex-wife Amber Heard in May 2016 said Depp was “verbally and physically abusive” to her during their marriage. Depp earlier called that claim and others “salacious false stories, gossip, misinformation and lies.” The two settled their divorce last year. Rowling said the reports “deeply concerned” her and others involved with the production, but “based on our understanding of the circumstances, the filmmakers and I are not only comfortable sticking with our original casting, but genuinely happy to have Johnny playing a major character in the movies.”