Johnny Depp's Departure From Fantastic Beasts: What It Means For The Franchise

The upcoming third film in the "Fantastic Beasts" series will not feature Johnny Depp, the actor recently announced. The decision is linked to Depp's unsuccessful attempt to secure a libel verdict in his favor against British tabloid The Sun. The publication had reported on his allegedly abusive relationship with his ex-wife, Amber Heard. Due to this situation, Warner Bros. is contractually obligated to pay Depp his full, eight-figure salary, even though he will not be appearing in any future installments of the franchise.

In Hollywood, it is common for film star contracts to include a "pay-or-play" clause, which guarantees the actor's full salary if their involvement in the movie falls through. Interestingly, despite not appearing in the film, Depp will still receive more money than his potential co-stars, like Eddie Redmayne and Jude Law. This highlights the often complex nature of contracts in the film industry, where financial obligations can persist even when an actor is no longer part of a project.

Sources indicate that Depp was not technically fired but rather asked to resign, primarily because his contract lacked a standard "morality clause." This raises questions about the implications of such clauses in the industry and how they can impact an actor's career. Depp took to Instagram to express his gratitude for the support he has received, confirming that he respected Warner Bros.' request to step down from his role as Grindelwald in the "Fantastic Beasts" series.