Mads Mikkelsen says Johnny Depp ‘masterfully’ played Grindelwald

Mads Mikkelsen has recently spoken to Entertainment Weekly about replacing Johnny Depp as Grindelwald in Fantastic Beasts 3 after the latter had been asked to step down by Warner Bros.

Following the libel case loss against British Tabloid The Sun, Johnny Depp was asked by the producing studio of the Fantastic Beasts franchise to resign, which the actor complied with. Nonetheless, he will be receiving the full eight-figure salary according to his contract.

Mikkelsen said about taking over the character of Grindelwald from Depp, “Well it’s going to be me, so that’s a difference. This is the tricky part. We’re still working it out.”

“There has to be a bridge between what Johnny did and what I’m going to do. And at the same time, I also have to make it my own. But also we have to find a few links and some bridges so it doesn’t completely detach from what he’s already masterfully achieved."

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The Danish actor bagged the 'Dark Wizard' role in the third installment of the series as he was director David Yates' first choice.

“Job wise, it’s obviously super interesting and nice,” Mikkelsen added. “It’s also a shocker that it came after what happened, which is just super sad. I wish [Depp and Heard] the best. These are sad circumstances. I hope both of them will be back in the saddle again really soon.”

Mikkelsen is currently promoting his latest film Another Round - Denmark’s official Oscar submission in the 2021 race.