Johnny Depp Is Exiting The ‘Fantastic Beasts’ Franchise After Losing Libel Case Involving Amber Heard

Some bad news for Johnny Depp this week. The controversial actor lost his libel case against the publisher of Britain’s The Sun newspaper. As some of you may know, the publication made accusations that Depp abused his ex-wife Amber Heard.

Depp claimed those allegations were false, but after a lengthy (and often messy) court battle, the judge working the case found the claims “substantially true.”

It’s a huge blow to Depp, who was hoping he could clear his name by winning this case. Instead, the judge ruled against him and basically said he did indeed abuse Heard on some level.

In light of this ruling, Depp revealed that Warner Bros. has asked him to resign from the Fantastic Beasts franchise.

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 many messages of love and concern, particularly over the last few days. 

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.

The studio had been trying to defend keeping Depp in the franchise, but after this ruling, it looks like they feel like the defense just isn’t there.

This could be the end of movie star Depp. He may have trouble landing big roles in Hollywood after this.

J.K. Rowling Defends Decision To Cast Johnny Depp In ‘Fantastic Beasts’ After Amber Heard’s Abuse Allegations

While several actors, producers, and agents continue to fall in this sexual harassment cleanse, Johnny Depp continues to thrive. As some of you may remember, the 54-year-old actor was accused by his ex-wife Amber Heard of physical abuse. She was granted a temporary domestic violence restraining order against the actor.

You also had the strange, slightly disturbing video showing an intoxicated Depp yelling at Heard and then apparently writing on their bathroom mirror with his own blood. You can click on this link to relive that odd experience.

A lot of fans were upset with the decision to cast Depp as Gellert Grindelwald in the Fantastic Beasts film, but J.K. Rowling is now speaking out about the decision, and she still stands by it

“When Johnny Depp was cast as Grindelwald, I thought he’d be wonderful in the role. However, around the time of filming his cameo in the first movie, stories had appeared in the press that deeply concerned me and everyone most closely involved in the franchise. Based on our understanding of the circumstances, the filmmakers and I are not only comfortable sticking with our original casting, but genuinely happy to have Johnny playing a major character in the movies.

I’ve loved writing the first two screenplays and I can’t wait for fans to see The Crimes of Grindelwald. I accept that there will be those who are not satisfied with our choice of actor in the title role. However, conscience isn’t governable by committee. Within the fictional world and outside it, we all have to do what we believe to be the right thing.”

Hm…so it sounds like they did a mini investigation and determined Depp didn’t physically harm Heard? It seems hard to believe, considering the dude was throwing wine glasses and using his own blood as ink, but what do I know?

It’s worth noting that Heard and Depp released a joint statement to Us Weekly after settling their divorce:

“Our relationship was intensely passionate and at times volatile, but always bound by love. Neither party has made false accusations for financial gain. There was never any intent of physical or emotional harm. Amber wishes the best for Johnny in the future. Amber will be donating financial proceeds from the divorce to a charity.”

A24 Tries To Continue Their Hot Streak With James Franco’s ‘The Adderall Diaries’ — Watch The Trailer Inside!

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2015 was a huge year for A24. They seem to have found a perfect recipe to create/purchase films that are both successful with critics and successful at the box office. You have The Spectacular Now, Room, Ex Machina, While We’re Young, and most recently The Witch.

They are on fire, and they’re hoping to continue the success with The Adderall Diaries, a film based on Stephen Elliot’s 2009 true-crime memoir. The film stars James Franco, Amber Heard, Christian Slater, Cynthia Nixon and Ed Harris.

Franco plays Stephen Elliot, a once-successful writer, who becomes engrossed in a high-profile murder case to distract himself from his personal troubles, which include trying to deal with his vindictive father and drug dependency.

The adaptation was written and directed by Pamela Romanowsky. It actually had its world premiere last year at the Tribeca Film Festival. It will debut as a DirectTV exclusive on March 10. It’s not expected to hit theaters until April 15.

You can watch the trailer below. It certainly doesn’t look like it’s going to be one of A24’s best films, but it’ll probably be worth the $10 movie ticket.