Johnny Depp will step down from his role in the Harry Potter series Fantastic Beasts.

The actor announced the news on his Instagram.

“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’s statement reads in part.

Warner Bros. Weighs In

Warner Bros. confirmed Depp’s exit. The studio further noted it would recast the role of Grindelwald.

“Johnny Depp will depart the Fantastic Beasts franchise,” Warner Bros. said. “We thank Johnny for his work on the films to date. Fantastic Beasts 3 is currently in production, and the role of Gellert Grindelwald will be recast. The film will debut in theaters worldwide in the summer of 2022.”

The news comes just days after Depp lost his libel case against UK publication The Sun. Depp sued the tabloid for an article published in 2018 that identified him as a “wife beater.”

Warner Bros. did not comment on the libel case or Depp’s upcoming defamation lawsuit against ex-wife Amber Heard. The studio did not say whether the allegations of domestic violence against Depp motivated his removal from Fantastic Beasts.

However, Depp himself used his Instagram post to address both his recasting and his recent loss to The Sun. 

“Finally, I wish to say this. The surreal judgement of the court in the U.K. will not change my fight to tell the truth and I confirm that I plan to appeal,” his post also reads. “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.”

Source: Deadline