The Dane could play "Grindelwald"

Mads Mikkelsen Eyed to Replace Johnny Depp in 'Fantastic Beasts 3'

Actor Mads Mikkelsen could replace Johnny Depp in the role of "Gellert Grindelwald" in the Fantastic Beasts film series. According Variety, the Danish star is already in talks with the studio to join the Harry Potter universe just days after Depp was asked to resign.

Not a week has passed, but Warner Bros. appears close to replacing Johnny Depp in the Fantastic Beasts franchise. On Nov. 6, the actor resigned from the role of "Grindelwald" at the studio's request after his recent legal battles.

But the third instalment in the Harry Potter spin-off has already begun the search for its new antagonist. According to Variety, Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen is in talks with the studio to join the cast of Fantastic Beasts 3.

Fantastic Beasts: Mads Mikkelsen could replace Johnny Depp

Just last week we learned about Depp's departure from Fantastic Beasts and everything seems to indicate that his replacement is already more than confirmed.

Fantastic Beasts: Mads Mikkelsen Replacing Johnny Depp as "Grindelwald"?

According to several media outlets, the acclaimed Danish star Mads Mikkelsen is in final talks to join the cast of the third film as "Grindelwald"—the villain at the centre of conflicts with "Albus Dumbledore" (Jude Law) and "Newt Scamander" (Eddie Redmayne).

If negotiations are finalized, Mikkelsen could take the antagonistic lead for the remainder of the series based on the books by J.K. Rowling. So far, Warner Bros. has not issued any comment.

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"Grindelwald" from Johnny Depp to Mads Mikkelsen?

The signing of Mikkelsen—a veteran of the James Bond, Star Wars, and Marvel franchises—would allow filming to continue on the third Fantastic Beasts movie, which had already begun with Depp's participation.

Fantastic Beasts: Johnny Depp has resigned as "Grindelwald"

In fact, a source told ComicBook.com that Depp had already filmed a scene when he was requested to leave the project.

The exit, however, was not all was bad news for Mr. Depp. His contract allowed him to collect close to $10 million since he was on set for at least one day of work. He was asked to resign just days after losing a libel case in High Court, which he'd initiated after being called a "wife-beater" in a UK-published article.