Johnny Depp is allegedly being paid a salary of $10 million for filming one scene in the new Fantastic Beasts movie.
Per a recent report by The Hollywood Reporter, Depp was due to play the role of the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald in the upcoming third movie in the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them franchise, which is set in J.K. Rowling's fictional Harry Potter universe.
Take a look at Depp's performance in the trailer for The Crimes of Grindelwald below:According to The Hollywood Reporter, Depp had only shot one scene since production began on the as-yet-untitled movie on September 20 in London.
However, Depp will receive a full salary despite being pulled from the movie, thanks to his pay-or-play contract, which requires that he be fully compensated whether or not the film is made and even if it is recast.
Warner Bros film chief Toby Emmerich severed ties with the Pirates of the Caribbean star after Depp’s defamation claims against British newspaper The Sun were dismissed in court.
Depp sued the newspaper, and its executive editor Dan Wootton, after the tabloid called him a "wife-beater" when reporting on his high-profile divorce from Aquaman actress Amber Heard.
Per THR, after Judge Andrew Nicol ruled that he accepted Heard's testimony, which was detailed and painted a picture of Depp as an abuser, the studio opted to recast the role of Grindelwald less than midway through the franchise as a result of the bad PR.
Per The Guardian, author JK Rowling had previously defended Depp, despite the accusations of spousal abuse from Heard.
Rowling wrote a statement in 2017: "Based on our understanding of the circumstances, the film-makers and I are not only comfortable sticking with our original casting but genuinely happy to have Johnny playing a major character in the movies."
Depp himself broke the news that he had been fired from the project in a post made on his official Instagram account on November 7. In a statement addressed to his 8 million followers, the 57-year-old actor wrote:
"In light of recent events, I would like to make the following short statement. Firstly I’d like to thank everybody who has gifted me with their support and loyalty.
"I have been humbled and moved by your many messages of love and concern, particularly over the last few days.
"Secondly, I wish to let you know that i have been asked to resign by Warner Bros. from my role as Grindelwald in Fantastic Beasts and I have respected that and agreed to that request. [sic]"
Per THR, the third Fantastic Beasts film is set for release on July 15, 2022. It is currently unknown who will replace Depp as Grindelwald.
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