The first from the
Fantastic Beasts series to comment on Johnny Depp's departure were actors Jude Law (Albus Dumbledore) via a new interview with
ET, and Dan Fogler in a now-deleted social media post.
Law told ET, while promoting his new movie
The Nest (for which he is receiving rave reviews and already a Gotham Awards nomination), said the dismissal was unusual given Depp had already began filming
Fantastic Beasts 3, but understood the decision at the end.
Quote:
Jude Law: "It's an enormous film, and there are many, many layers to it. It's probably one of the biggest productions I've ever worked on. And in a situation like this, you defer to the studio. That's all you can do. Because you have to turn up and play your part."
"It was unusual for me because, in fact, on this particular role. Johnny had actually only done a day's filming, I think, on his own."
"In a franchise like this, it's the studio and the company that make the big decisions. And you have to go along with those, because we're just a member of the team."
Dan Fogler, who plays Jacob Kowalski in the series, said the below in a series of Instagram posts now deleted. Fogler continued on and mentioned he was surprised at Mads Mikkelsen's casting, which he heard about online like the rest of the world, and hopes to work with him again. The two costarred in the series
Hannibal.
Fogler retracted and deleted the comments once hit back with backlash regarding support of Depp and his domestic abuse verdict, and pledged to become more educated on the subject matter.
The third installment, out July 15, 2022, will be directed by David Yates, and will bring back the cast of the series including Eddie Redmayne as Newt Scamander, Jude Law as Albus Dumbledore along with Ezra Miller (Credence / Aurelius Dumbledore), Alison Sudol (Queenie Goldstein), Dan Fogler (Jacob Kowalski), Katherine Waterston (Tina Goldstein) and Jessica Williams as Professor Eulalie “Lally” Hicks.
Jude Law, Dan Fogler comment on Johnny Depp's departure from 'Fantastic Beasts' films 
