Mads Mikkelsen in talks to replace Johnny Depp in ‘Fantastic Beasts 3’ (reports)

Mads Mikkelsen is reportedly in negotiations to replace Johnny Depp as villain Gellert Grindelwald in Fantastic Beasts 3. 

The Danish star has emerged as favourite to take over the role after Depp, who played Grindelwald in the first two films in the Harry Potter prequel series, was forced to quit the franchise after losing his UK libel case. 

Depp said on Instagram last week that he was “asked to resign” from the franchise by studio Warner Bros. He is thought to have shot only one scene for the third film, currently filming in the UK. 

Warner has just rescheduled the yet-to-be-titled sequel’s release date from November 2021 to July 15, 2022. 

The third film will once again star Eddie Redmayne as wizard Newt Scamander, with David Yates directing from a script by Harry Potter author J K Rowling and Steve Kloves. 

Mikkelsen is currently getting attention for Another Round, one of three films leading the table in the European Film Awards nominations. The Thomas Vinterberg drama has also won prizes at the London and San Sebastian festivals.