“Fantastic Beasts” director David Yates is now doubling down on his defense for Johnny Depp, even after many fans have called for the actor’s removal from the upcoming film.
Depp is slotted to play the chief antagonist in the upcoming Harry Potter offshoot, “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.” It’s not going over very well with fans, however, after revelations of Depp’s abusive past came to light last year.
FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE CRIMES OF JOHNNY DEPP pic.twitter.com/ZaPgfhgJiD
— rafa (@rafaelkjls) November 16, 2017
Depp’s ex-wife, Amber Heard, claims the actor abused her, broke an iPhone over her face, kicked her, and drunkenly smashed glass bottles in a fit of rage. Depp’s alleged actions led Heard to file for divorce, citing domestic violence.
As one might imagine, fans aren’t psyched about this sort of behavior. There’s been mounting pressure to nix the actor from all upcoming projects, no matter how difficult it might be.
Why are we letting Johnny Depp still be a thing
— Ash Crossan (@AshCrossan) November 16, 2017
Happy to hear Johnny Depp will be returning for Fantastic Beasts 2 seeing as he only assaulted one woman instead of like a bunch of them which would be bad
— Jenny Nicholson (@JennyENicholson) November 29, 2017
@jk_rowling you write about the horrible abuse Harry suffers at the hands of Vernon & Petunia. Your books – the world you created – are a safe haven for so many people. Why do you allow real-life abuser Johnny Depp to continue his role in @FantasticBeasts?
— Becky Baylor (@beckytamara) November 19, 2017
But in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Yates stood firm on his casting.
“Honestly, there’s an issue at the moment where there’s a lot of people being accused of things, they’re being accused by multiple victims, and it’s compelling and frightening. With Johnny, it seems to me there was one person who took a pop at him and claimed something. I can only tell you about the man I see every day: He’s full of decency and kindness, and that’s all I see. Whatever accusation was out there doesn’t tally with the kind of human being I’ve been working with.”
So basically, Yates thinks Depp is innocent because he hasn’t personally seen the actor abuse women.
People are also starting to question Harry Potter creator and outspoken progressive J.K. Rowling for keeping Depp on. One Twitter user @HobbitLindesy asked Rowling about the allegations Wednesday.
So if I understand correctly the actor who played Crabbe, a minor character, was fired from Harry Potter for doing drugs. Yet Johnny Depp, who abused his wife, gets a major role in your movies? Correct me if I’m wrong @jk_rowling
— Lindsey (@hobbitlindsey) November 28, 2017
But Rowling — who claims to be a feminist — is also turning a blind eye. She blocked Lindsey and has offered no comment on the controversy.
JK ROWLING BLOCKED ME pic.twitter.com/UaTkeqAMsW
— Lindsey (@hobbitlindsey) November 29, 2017
It looks like both Yates and Rowling might be all talk and no action.