Johnny Depp is known for taking on quirky characters like Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean and the Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland. Now, he’s entering J.K. Rowling’s world as Gellert Grindelwald in the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them sequel. The director, David Yates, leaked the info on the Harry Potter Fansite The Leaky Cauldron, explaining why they chose Depp for the role—and it’s not because he’s a household name. “The whole principle of casting the movie was go with the best actor. Go for the most inspired, interesting, right fit for that character,” Yates says.
Unsurprisingly, many aren’t pleased with this decision.
The fact that Donald Trump can become POTUS and Johnny Depp can join a huge franchise despite the way they treat women says everything.
— Tessa Kennedy (@T_Kennedy9) November 9, 2016
when david yates calls johnny depp physically abusing his wife an “odd thing”pic.twitter.com/ManlRPcqWB
— Anna Menta (@annalikestweets) November 8, 2016
a wild idea: what if we didn’t put a domestic abuser in one of the most culturally significant and morally formative franchises of our time
— claudia morales (@mostlyclaudia) November 2, 2016
hello @jk_rowling @FantasticBeasts the Harry Potter universe is all about being against the abuse of power and yet you cast a known abuser?
— Natalie (@wednesdaydreams) November 2, 2016
We haven’t yet heard from J.K. Rowling—who has always been outspoken on issues she’s passionate about—so fans are eagerly awaiting what her opinion of the casting is.