Here’s why Johnny Depp was reportedly still paid for ‘Fantastic Beasts 3'
Last month, we learned that Warner Bros. asked Johnny Depp to step down from his role as Grindelwald in the Fantastic Beasts franchise.
Despite being recast in the upcoming Fantastic Beasts 3, Depp reportedly still earned a salary. Now, we know just how much the actor allegedly made.
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It’s definitely been an interesting few weeks for both Johnny Depp and the Fantastic Beasts franchise. Back in November, Depp announced that he was asked to resign from his role in the Harry Potter franchise. The news arrived shortly after Depp lost a libel case against the U.K.-based tabloid The Sun over a 2018 article alleging he was a “wife beater.”
Although Depp plans to appeal the ruling, we learned a few weeks ago that Warner Bros. have already recast him in Fantastic Beasts 3. After numerous rumors, the company confirmed that Mads Mikkelsen will be portraying Grindelwald going forward.
According to Deadline, Depp had only filmed one scene in Fantastic Beasts 3, making it easy for Mikkelsen to transition into the new role. Filming for the upcoming movie is currently underway following coronavirus delays. The franchise’s star Eddie Redmayne confirmed that production had begun back in September.
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Despite being recast, however, it was reported that Warner Bros. still had to pay Depp his full salary. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Depp had “a pay-or-play contract, which requires that he be fully compensated whether or not the film is made and even if it is recast.”
Now, a new report has allegedly revealed just how much his Fantastic Beasts 3 salary was. This week, The Hollywood Reporter published a detailed expose about Depp’s alleged turbulent career over the years. Among the alleged findings was his reported pay out for Fantastic Beasts 3.
According to the report, Johnny Depp was paid a reported $16 million for his involvement in the upcoming film. The Hollywood Reporter notes that Depp’s contract for the franchise did not include a morality clause.
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“Warners — then headed up by CEO Kevin Tsujihara — brought Depp back for a third [Fantastic Beasts] outing in a move approved by creator J.K. Rowling and gave him a pay-or-play contract that did not contain a morality clause. As a result, the studio was stuck paying his entire $16 million payday for the film even after firing him in the wake of the U.K. verdict.”
Fantastic Beasts 3 arrives on July 15, 2022. The Hollywood Reporter‘s full expose on Johnny Depp is available to read here.
In other Johnny Depp news, rumors are swirling that he is in talks to star in Tim Burton‘s TV adaptation of The Addams Family. We first learned about Burton’s plans back in October. Burton’s adaptation of The Addams Family will mark his first major live-action TV series. However, if you are hoping to see The Addams Family are you remember them, think again.
According to Deadline, sources say that the new series will be set in present times as the Addams Family deals with modern life. As well, the television show will reportedly be told exclusively through the perspective of Wednesday Addams.
Are you going to see Fantastic Beasts 3 now that Depp has been recast? What are your thoughts on his reported salary for the film? Let us know in the comments below.
