Is Depp now a major distraction.
For some reason, the people handling PR for “Fantastic Beasts 2: The Crimes of Grindelwald” thought they could sidestep the ongoing controversy surrounding the film’s casting of Johnny Depp, 55, as the evil wizard Grindelwald.
The scandal-prone actor couldn’t help but be a major distraction if he came out on stage as, well, himself for the film’s panel at Comic-Con Saturday.
So, the PR people decided Depp should come out as the character of Grindelwald, in full costume, make-up and dyed blond hair. As Grindelwald, Depp gave “a Shakespearean monologue” about his crimes, Deadline reported. He said: “We who live for freedom or truth, the moment has come to rise up and take our rightful place in the world.”
Some in the audience, and on social media, cheered the Oscar nominee’s appearance and thought the stunt was electrifying. Others thought the whole spectacle was awkward and even creepy, especially because Depp’s ex-wife Amber Heard, who has accused him of domestic violence, was in the same hall and took the stage immediately after as part of the “Aquaman” panel.
E! Online reported that Depp’s appearance “drew both cheers and boos,” with negative reactions coming fast and furious on Twitter, including from entertainment journalists who witnessed the event.
“Johnny Depp is here. Gross,” tweeted Jacob Hall, managing editor at Slashfilm.com.
The controversy of Depp’s casting in a Harry Potter vehicle mostly stems from Depp’s divorce from Heard in 2016, during which Heard accused him of domestic violence.
For fans of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter universe, any hint that Depp had been physically abusive was enough to disqualify him for a role in the “Fantastic Beasts” movies.
Rowling defended Depp in a December 2017 statement. She said she understood people’s anger but said she and the filmmakers had reviewed his case and were “not only comfortable sticking with our original casting, but genuinely happy to have Johnny playing a major character in the movies.”