Rowling branded a ‘hypocrite’ over Depp film role
SHE is an outspoken advocate of women’s rights.
But JK Rowling has been accused of hypocrisy for saying she is ‘genuinely happy’ about Johnny Depp being cast in her film – despite the fact the actor has been accused of domestic abuse.
Fans were dismayed that Depp, Grindelwald in the Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them sequel, appears in the film after he was accused of attacking ex-wife Amber Heard last year.
The Harry Potter author, who wrote the spin-off film series, said those stories ‘deeply concerned’ her at the time, while Depp, 54, was filming the first movie, and she and director David Yates did consider recasting the role.
Depp and Miss Heard split in April last year after 15 months of marriage amid claims of domestic abuse.
The following month, Miss Heard, 31, was granted a temporary restraining order requiring that he stay 100 yards away from her after she appeared in court with bruises on her face.
They later issued a joint statement saying there was ‘never any intent of physical or emotional harm’.
Yesterday Miss Rowling said in a statement: ‘Harry Potter fans had legitimate concerns about our choice to continue with Johnny Depp in the role. We naturally considered recasting.’ But she added: ‘Based on our understanding of the circumstances, the filmmakers and I are not only comfortable sticking with our casting, but genuinely happy to have Johnny playing a major character in the movies.’
Many fans expressed disappointment, and one said: ‘It sucks when the author of the books that shaped your entire childhood is a massive hypocrite.’