Behind-the-scenes drama is no less dispiriting: franchise star Ezra Miller has been arrested multiple times in recent weeks under disturbing circumstances, most recently for allegedly throwing a chair at a woman in Hawaii. It’s a PR headache, to put it mildly, especially considering Miller is also “The Flash” in Warner’s flagship DCEU. Then there’s the matter of departed franchise star Johnny Depp, currently under the most intense public scrutiny of his career, as the media hovers over his ongoing defamation trial. The Oscar-nominated Pirates of the Caribbean megastar, who’s been acting in feature films since 1984’s A Nightmare on Elm St. is suing ex-wife Amber Heardfor $50 million in damages, saying he’s seeking to “clear his name” in response to a 2018 op-ed Aquaman and Machete star Heard penned in The Washington Post that didn’t name Depp outright as an abuser, but nevertheless, the actor claims damaged his once-towering career. From Virginia’s Fairfax County Courthouse, the trial has become a media circus, with increasingly damaging and bitter testimony on both sides. One of the greatest setbacks to Depp’s career in recent times is the actor’s removal from Fantastic Beasts 3. Initially introduced in the climactic moments of 2016’s Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Depp’s villainous Gellert Grindelwald took a more central role in 2018’s Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. The Fantastic Beasts films serve as a prequel series to the Harry Potter franchise, one of the highest-grossing sagas in film history. Weeks after The Crimes of Grindelwald opened to negative reviews and disappointing, tepid box office ($654 million worldwide vs. the original’s $812.5 million), Heard’s disturbing op-ed sent shockwaves through Hollywood and Wizarding World’s fanbase. Fans expressed disapproval for Depp’s place in the cinematic universe. A further setback, arguably more impactful setback was Depp’s loss of a highly publicized 2020 libel case against British tabloid The Sun, in retaliation for being called a “wife-beater.” The lost case was a critical blow to the star’s public image at the time. Despite a lengthy defense of the actor from Wizarding World creator Rowling (herself no stranger to fan controversy), Depp was ultimately asked to resign from Fantastic Beasts 3 after filming just one scene. The role of Gellert Grindelwald was henceforth played by Casino Royale and Another Round actor Mads Mikkelsen. Depp walked away with his $16 million salary thanks to a pay-or-play contract, however. Not uncommon for the roster of A-list stars, a “pay-or-play contract” stipulates that a star will receive their full payday even if a picture in development doesn’t get made, or is recast. Furthermore, as reported by IndieWire, Depp’s pay-or-play contract did not have a morality clause. So Warner Bros. was stuck footing the bill. Thanks to a budget that ballooned due to re-casting, reshoots, and a global pandemic, insiders estimate tentpole Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore has a staggering break-even point in the $500 million range, though this hasn’t been confirmed. So far, Secrets of Dumbledore has only grossed a paltry $201.9 million worldwide including a $42 million domestic opening on over 4,200 screens— a fraction of what Harry Potter films were grossing over a decade ago. It’s worth mentioning Secrets of Dumbledore has seen middling reviews at best. It sits at a 47% critics’ approval rate on Rotten Tomatoes, only marginally better than its immediate predecessor. Meanwhile, Heard recently reprised the role of Mera opposite Jason Momoa’s Aquaman in 2021’s well-received Zack Snyder’s Justice League. The actress has also finished filming on Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, slated for a 2023 release. Due to the extremely negative light this most recent lawsuit casts upon both Depp and Heard, who Depp has repeatedly claimed has attacked him on numerous circumstances, fans and observers are speculating if the Aquaman sequel may be re-shot with a new actress in the role. Though at this point, such rumor should just be treated as speculation. Depp met heard on the set of 2011’s The Rum Diary, when he was in a long-term relationship with Vanessa Paradis, and Heard, who came out as bisexual in 2010, was dating photographer Tasya van Ree. Depp and Heard were married February of 2015, and filed for divorce in 2016. The true long-term ramifications of this chapter of Depp’s career remain to be seen, of course. Though it’s undeniably been a year unlike any other. Next, here’s what we know about Johnny Depp’s highly publicized finger injury.
