![Johnny Depp relaxing. - [Image provide via Flickr (Credit: Celebrityabc)]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2017/12/9/660x290/b_502x220x82/image-provide-via-flickr-credit-celebrityabc_1726855.jpg "Johnny Depp relaxing. - [Image provide via Flickr (Credit: Celebrityabc)]")
J.K. Rowling finally broke her silence about casting Johnny Depp in the new movie "The Crimes of Grindelwald," the second in the "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" series. The movie is set in the same universe as the first and focuses on the life and times of Gellert Grindelwald, a contemporary of Albus Dumbledore and shadowy-figure in the Harry Potter universe.
Allegations against Depp
According to a Vox report at the time, in June of 2017, Depp's own lawyers filed documents that stated they had witnessed Depp being violent to his then-wife, Amber Heard, and that they could confirm Heard's statements to the police and in court to be true.
In a joint statement, both Heard and Depp confirmed that "Neither party has made false accusations for financial gain."
Vox says that the news was largely ignored until Depp also made a joke about assassinating President Trump, a joke for which he later apologized. The same Vox report detailed allegations including Depp cutting off part of his finger and finger-painting the words "Easy Amber" on a mirror, kicking Heard, and hitting her with an iPhone.
Heard settled the divorce case out of court for seven million dollars, which she then gave to various charities. The allegations appeared to do little to hurt Depp's career.
Rowling's statement
In a statement on her website, Rowling remarked on the stress of the decision.
However, that did not mean she was backing down from saying what she thought of the situation, being clear that this was a choice and not an accident. She described herself and the filmmakers as "genuinely happy" to have cast Depp in the role.
Fan reaction
In the past, Rowling has been very outspoken about her commitment to the fight against sexual assault, most notably in opposition to President Trump, and others she considers predatory.
If the only thing preventing a man committing sexual assault is the presence of witnesses, he's too dangerous to be at liberty. https://t.co/9XswCIvFJC
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) October 11, 2017
"If the only thing preventing a man committing sexual assault is the presence of witnesses, he's too dangerous to be at liberty," she wrote on Twitter.
Less than two months later, Rowling put out her statement defending her choice to cast Depp in the upcoming movie.
The fan reaction to the casting is somewhat split, with many feeling conflicted, and others furious about the decision. One fan accused Rowling of blocking fans who noted that Harry Potter himself is a victim of abuse.
hp helped so many victims of abuse. harry potter IS A VICTIM OF ABUSE and you blocked some fans that reminded you about this case. i seriously hope those fans don't watch the crimes of grindelwald 'cause they already know the crimes of johnny depp.
— ˗ˏˋ jhona ˊˎ˗ (@POTTEREINA) December 7, 2017
Some fans believed the move violates the principles of the Harry Potter fandom, writ large.
The #HarryPotter fandom cannot reconcile with a domestic abuser being glorified and not being held accountable for his actions.
— Rachael J Adams (@RachaelJA) December 8, 2017
An Open Letter To J.K. Rowling On Casting Johnny Depp As Grindelwald https://t.co/2Tq7QkfYyB #notmyGrindelwald
Others took a different tone, praising Rowling for her choice.
I think your choice #JKRowling of #JohnnyDepp as Grindelwald is perfection. He's one of the best actors on this planet. He deserves an Oscar
— Jenny (@curiousepegasus) December 8, 2017
Rowling's only consolation to those disappointed in her choice was that she believes it was the right one. "Conscience is not governable by committee," she writes. "...we all have to do what we believe to be the right thing."
"The Crimes of Grindelwald" is set to be released November 16, 2018.
