Why Warner Bros. Paid Johnny Depp $10 Million To Film One Scene

Talk about a payday. Johnny Depp filmed only one scene for "Fantastic Beasts 3" before he was asked to resign by Warner Bros., but he will be compensated in full.

Depp, 57, had a so-called pay-or-play contract, which requires that he be fully compensated whether or not a film is made and even if he is recast, according to The Hollywood Reporter. This means the studio will be obligated to shell out his full salary: $10 million, reports The Daily Mail.

While the payout is notable, Depp makes $20 million per movie on average.

Depp made a cameo in the first "Fantastic Beasts" movie in 2016 playing the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald. The actor's casting in the Warner Bros' family-friendly franchise was immediately controversial due to allegations of domestic abuse levied against Depp by his ex-wife Amber Heard earlier that year.

The controversy followed the "Fantastic Beasts" franchise through the release of the second film, 2018's "Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald," which featured a much larger role for Depp.

After the second film produced lackluster ratings at the box office, the threequel was later delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But in addition to its release date pushback, the movie saw Depp exit "Fantastic Beasts 3."

Depp and Warner Bros. announced on Nov. 6 that he will no longer play a role in the wizarding franchise.

"...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," Depp posted on Instagram.

Warner Bros. confirmed Depp's departure in a statement to Variety, saying, "Johnny Depp will depart the 'Fantastic Beasts' franchise. We thank Johnny for his work on the films to date."

Depp's termination came after he lost a libel suit against the publisher of Britain's The Sun newspaper over the publication's argument that he was an abusive husband.

The actor made reference to this judgment in his statement, saying he plans to continue his legal fight.

"The surreal judgment of the court in the U.K. will not change my fight to tell the truth and I confirm that I plan to appeal," he wrote. "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."

"Fantastic Beasts 3" is set for release on July 15, 2022.