Deadline is reporting tonight that Johnny Depp has booked a co-starring role in the upcoming Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them 2. Yes, you read that right. We’re referring to the sequel. The first film may not even be in theatres yet, but Warner Bros. is already looking ahead to the next instalment and have now begun to cast it.
News of a sequel shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, as it’s clear that Warner Bros. have franchise plans in place for Fantastic Beasts, with J.K. Rowling revealing last month that there will be five films in all. David Yates will return to helm the sequel, but aside from Depp, we have no further casting additions to report on. What we can tell you, however, is that he’ll likely be playing a significant character and MAY cameo in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
The rumor mill is already acting up for this one, and some fans believe that Depp may be playing a younger Dumbledore. After all, we know that the character is going to be involved in Fantastic Beasts in some capacity, and bringing a huge name like Depp in to play such an iconic figure from the Harry Potter world would be a smart move. Then again, other people are speculating that he could be playing Gellert Grindelwald, “a dark wizard who was once a friend of Dumbledore’s.”
Whoever he ends up playing, this is certainly a smart move for the actor. Though he was once a major star, Depp’s had a pretty rough time in Hollywood lately, with a lot of his films failing to land with both critics or audiences. He’s always excelled in more fantastical fare though, and I could definitely seeing him fitting nicely into this particular franchise.
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them will hit theatres on November 18th, at which point we’ll hopefully learn a little bit more about who Depp may be playing. Until then, feel free to speculate in the comments section down below and let us know what role you think he’s been cast in.