J.K. Rowling Reveals True Feelings About Johnny Depp's Grindelwald Casting

There was significant backlash when the sequel for "Fantaastic Beasts And Where To Find Them" was announced and revealed that the film would focus on Johnny Depp's character. Now, J.K. Rowling has spoken out about the seemingly controversial decision to keep Depp involved in the series, despite the allegations he had been abusive to former wife Amber Heard.

In a statement on her website, Rowling spoke out about the controversy, stating that while she appreciated the concerns that fans had, she and director David Yates both felt as though the situation involving Depp and Heard was one that didn't need to be relived since both wanted to move past things, and because of that, they decided that recasting Depp wasn't a necessary action.

"The huge, mutually supportive community that has grown up around Harry Potter is one of the greatest joys of my life. For me personally, the inability to speak openly to fans about this issue has been difficult, frustrating and at times painful," she wrote. "However, the agreements that have been put in place to protect the privacy of two people, both of whom have expressed a desire to get on with their lives, must be respected. 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."

Rowling, who admitted that the possibility of a recast had been discussed, went on to say that in the end, they all felt that letting Depp continue in his role was the right thing to do, even if fans didn't see it that way.

"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 of it, we all have to do what we believe to be the right thing," she said.

The controversy over Depp's role in the film first erupted after the title of the second film of the franchise was revealed to be "The Crimes of Grindelwald," which would mean Depp's role as the title character would be bigger. Fans quickly took to social media to express that they weren't happy with the news due to the allegations Heard made against Depp when they filed for divorce in 2016. Among the outcry were calls for Depp to be recast completely,

However, despite the outrage from fans, Yates told Entertainment Weekly shortly after that a recast wouldn't happen, specifically because while other Hollywood actors and personalities have had several accusers come forward with claims against them, the only claim made against Depp was Heard's, and it didn't match up with the impression anyone on the set had of Depp.

"With Johnny, it seems to me there was one person who took a pop at him and claimed something," he said at the time. "I can only tell you about the man I see every day: He's ull of decency and kindness, and that's all I see. Whatever accusation was out there doesn't tally with the kind of human being I've been working with."