Johnny Depp will receive his full salary for Fantastic Beasts 3 despite filming only one scene.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Depp will take home his eight-figure salary for the film even after Warner Bros. cut ties with him after he lost the ‘wife beater’ libel trial.
Toby Emmerich, the studio’s film chief, decided to sever ties with the actor who was supposed to play dark wizard Gellert Grindelwand.
The decision was prompted by a judge dismissing the actor’s defamation claims against the newspaper The Sun after the publication called him a ‘wife-beater.’
The film, which was supposed to arrive in theaters November 12, 2021, is now set to debut on July 15, 2022 after Depp announced that he was asked to exit the franchise.
Sources told THR that Warners was hoping to let due process take its course before parting ways with Depp, who is also known for playing Edward Scissorhands and Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean.
Warner Bros. did not fire the actor from his contract but rather asked he step down.
THR also noted that like other A-list stars, Depp also had a pay-or-play contract. This allows him to be fully compensated whether or not the movie is made or even if his role went to a different actor.
Depp wrote in a November 6 Instagram post: “I’d like to thank everybody who has gifted me with their support and loyalty. I have been humbled and moved by your many messages of love and concern, particularly over the last few days.”
He also said that ‘the allegations against (him) are false’ and he remains in litigation with ex-wife Amber Heard in a defamation suit in Virginia.
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Replaced!