Following over a year of criticism for casting Johnny Depp as Grindelwald in the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them series, JK Rowling has come out with a vague and passive statement claiming the move to be “the right thing”.
In the statement, Rowling writes that she and director David Yates “naturally considered the possibility of recasting” when news broke of his abuse against ex-wife Amber Heard.
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Depp was accused by then-wife Amber Heard of physical and verbal abuse in 2016, and Heard’s team has provided various evidence to her claims in the form of photos and text messages.
The former couple released a joint statement iterating that “neither party has made false accusations for financial gain”.
For the record, this was our FULL joint statement.To pick&choose certain lines & quote them out of context, is not right.Women, stay strong. pic.twitter.com/W7Tt6A3ROj
— Amber Heard (@realamberheard) December 8, 2017
Rowling’s statement glosses over this fact.
“Based on our understanding of the circumstances,” she writes, “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.”
Her statement echoes that of David Yates, who earlier this month told Entertainment Weekly that “there was one person who took a pop at [Depp] 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.”
JK Rowling called alleged abuser Johnny Depp’s casting “the right thing” to do
The public were less than receptive of these defenses.
One Twitter user reminding Rowling of the letter she had sent her as a young teenager.
Hey @jk_rowling, remember that letter you wrote me when I was 15, explicitly saying that the HP world would always be a safe haven from abuse, would always be there to protect & comfort me? Shove it up your arse.
— dani (@anthroqveer) December 7, 2017
Another reminded Twitter of how Rowling liked tweets on Twitter calling Heard a liar when Depp’s casting was announced. Rowling has also blocked fans on the platform for criticising the casting.
Because people keep asking, here’s ~some of the weird stuff that happened on JKR’s twitter/faves when casting was announced. I recall more. Other people have chimed in recalling more. Those tweets/accounts may be gone now. Idk. Take it as you will. pic.twitter.com/qTyCMP5BTX
— rachel kiley (@rachelkiley) December 8, 2017
The statement has further marred the message of her original novels — and many fans have found their love of the Harry Potter franchise waning thanks to the author’s actions.
jk rowling has worked so systematically and methodically to destroy my love of her creation. it’s fascinating.
— Pete Souza Petty (@KendraJames_) December 7, 2017
“There will be a time when we must choose between what is easy and what is right.”
I’ve carried this quote deep in my heart ever since I first read it. I am so sad to see that you chose what is easy.
— kathleen quinlan (@kathleenq) December 7, 2017
jk rowling created a character who was a victim of abuse FOR YEARS. harry potter gave people hope. and now she casted an abuser and said she’s happy to work with him. this is so disrespectful, not only for amber, but for all abuse survivors
— jess (@keithstars) December 7, 2017
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald will open in South Africa 16 November 2018.
Feature image: Daniel Ogren via Flickr (CC BY 2.0, edited); Screenshot, Notable Movie Scenes via YouTube
