5
Johnny Depp waving to cameras after leaving court for his libel case, left, and his resignation letter from the Fantastic Beasts franchise posted on his Instagram, right.

Johnny Depp 'Fantastic Beasts' Franchise Exit

Part of a series on Amber Heard vs. Johnny Depp. [View Related Entries]

Updated Nov 10, 2020 at 04:13AM EST by andcallmeshirley.

Added Nov 09, 2020 at 01:48PM EST by Zach.

PROTIP: Press 'i' to view the image gallery, 'v' to view the video gallery, or 'r' to view a random entry.

This submission is currently being researched & evaluated!

You can help confirm this entry by contributing facts, media, and other evidence of notability and mutation.

Overview

Johnny Depp Fantastic Beasts Franchise Exit refers to the controversy surrounding actor Johnny Depp and domestic abuse allegations by his ex-wife Amber Heard, which resulted in Warner Bros. requesting his departure from the Harry Potter spinoff films Fantastic Beasts in November 2020 after he lost a libel case against News Group Newspapers. Following the UK court ruling’s decision and his removal from the franchise, supporters of Depp, as well as critics of Warner Bros., took to social media shortly after to express their support, leading to an influx of memes revolving around the event in early November 2020.

Background

On November 2nd, 2020, Depp lost a libel case against News Group Newspapers, the publisher of British tabloid The Sun, which published an article in 2018 that referred to him as a “wife beater” and also claimed there was “overwhelming evidence” that he assaulted Heard while they were married.[1][2] The article also called for J.K. Rowling to take action against the alleged abuse and remove Depp from his role in the movies.

On November 6th, Depp, who portrayed Gellert Grindelwald in the Harry Potter spinoff films Fantastic Beasts, was asked to resign by Warner Bros. from his role shortly after he lost the libel case. A spokesperson from the studio confirmed that he would leave the franchise and Depp's role would be recast ahead of the third film, slated for summer 2022. That same day, Depp posted a statement on his Instagram[3] account addressing his departure from Fantastic Beasts, which received over 2.4 million likes in three days (seen below).

November 6th London 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 man concern, particularly over the last few days. messages of love and 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 and agreed to that request. Finally, I wish to say this. The surreal judgement of the court in the U.K. will not change my fight to tell the truth and I confirm that I plan to appeal. My resolve remains strong and I intend to prove that the allegations against me are false. My life and career will not be defined by this moment in time. Thank you for reading. Sincerely, Johnny Depp

Developments

Shortly after the news spread online, fans of Depp began commenting on the story and his removal from Fantastic Beasts, which led to an influx of memes criticizing Warner Bros. or supporting Depp across social media. The event also trended on Twitter[4] in early November 2020 alongside the hashtag #JusticeForJohnnyDepp.

Online Reactions

On November 6th, 2020, Redditor mig1964 posted a meme to the /r/memes[5] subreddit under the title “What can I do to help Johnny Depp?” and received over 65,300 upvotes, 853 comments and numerous Reddit awards in three days (seen below, left). That same day, a post by Redditor Ethan_Hood to the /r/awfuleverything[6] sub received over 52,300 upvotes, 2,100 comments and several Reddit awards in three days (seen below, right). On November 7th, a thread on /r/OutOfTheLoop[7] asking “What is going on with Johnny Depp innocent memes?” received nearly 5,000 likes and 670 comments in roughly 48 hours.


JOHNNY DEPP YUP HE HAS PROVED THAT HE IS THE VICTIM YUP SO AMBER HEART IS ACTUALLY THE ABUSER THEREFORE SHE SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM HER ROLES INSTEAD OF JOHNNY THAT MAKES SENSE TO ME NO THEN GIVE HIM BACK HIS ROLES AND REMOVE HER 12:38 4G l 23%| So johnny depp was just asked to resign from Fantastic Beasts 3 by Warner Bros. • Amber admitted to abusing him and falsely claimed that he abused her • Amber Heard still has her role in Aquaman 2, also produced by Warner Bros. Ezra Miller is on video choking a woman • JK Rowling is transphobic Yet they ask Johnny to resign. What in the actual f---?

On November 8th, Twitter[8] user richlong_ tweeted about the event and listed some of Heard’s actions discussed the case, receiving over 1,600 likes and 400 retweets in 24 hours (shown below, right). Shortly after, Twitter[9] user KaraMarni tweeted about Depp’s removal by Warner Bros. and the studio’s decision to keep Heard in her role for Aquaman 2, receiving over 2,900 likes and 540 retweets in 23 hours (shown below, right).


Bling Crosby. @richlong Johnny Depp had a fingertip cut off, had his bed defecated in and had cigarettes stubbed out on him. He has been asked to resign by WB whilst his abuser keeps her job. Now tell men to come forward more. YOUNG MEART Kara Marni @KaraMarni How the f--- is it fair that Johnny Depp has been forced to quit his role in Fantastic Beasts while Amber Heard is still on Aquaman 2?! Karma is coming for her BIG TIME

On 9GAG,[10] numerous memes referencing Depp’s exit from the Fantastic Beasts films also trended on the site in early November, receiving over 270 points and 130 comments in 48 hours.

Various Examples


The whole entire internet when Johnny Depp needs our help Men can be abused by women too. Justice for Johnny Depp. Just because Amber Heard is lying about Johnny Depp doesn't mean all women lie about abuse Please remember to show all victims of abuse the same respect we're showing Johnny. Also, f--- Amber Heard.

Petition to replace Amber Heard with Johnny Depp in Aquaman 2 Jack Sparrow should replace Johnny Depp! RIEE This one sparks joy. This one does not spark joy.

Search Interest

External References

[1] The Sun – Johnny Depp Fantastic Beasts Assault Claim

[2] UK Judiciary – Depp v. News Group Newspapers

[3] Instagram – Johnny Depp

[4] Twitter – Johnny Depp exits Fantastic Beasts franchise

[5] Reddit – r/memes

[6] Reddit – r/awfuleverything

[7] Reddit – r/OutOfTheLoop

[8] Twitter – richlong_

[9] Twitter – KaraMarni

[10] 9GAG – Johnny Depp Leaves 'Fantastic Beasts' Films

Related Entries 8 total

Recent Videos 10 total

Recent Images 65 total


Top Comments

RemChi
Delete
Sensitive
RemChi

Its wrong to idolize a celebrity because they're a celebrity.

But fuck, if Johnny can still walk straight after the amount of ass fucking Hollywood and the courts have done to him he deserves some admoration.

+82
Reply
Icecane
Delete
Sensitive
Icecane

Listen and Believe Women at its finest, eh? The worst thing is that it's not even speculation or rumor, the guy easily proves his innocence and that he's the victim, unlike most "victims" that some women try and claim to be. Yet, nope. Apparently not true at all. It's so bafflingly, blatantly and criminally biased and sexist that it's insane.

I feel bad for the guy, and anyone else that has to deal with this kind of bullshit. Where actual gender issues are presented but no one cares.

+72
Reply

+ Add a Comment

Comments (34)


Display Comments

Add a Comment


'lo! You must login or signup first!