In the wake of Johnny Depp stepping down from the role of Gellert Grindelwald in Fantastic Beasts 3, reports surfaced that Mads Mikkelsen would be taking over the role. Now, the Hannibal actor has commented on his would-be connection to the next Wizarding World feature.
"Oh, that is on the rumor basis as we speak," Mikkelsen said to IGN. "So I know as much as you do from the newspapers. So I'm waiting for that phone call."
RELATED: Fantastic Beasts 3: Johnny Depp To Receive Full Salary Despite Exiting Film
Mikkelsen has appeared in an eclectic array of roles over the years, including playing Hannibal Lector in the TV show Hannibal and supporting roles in blockbusters like Doctor Strange and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. He has also starred in Danish productions like The Hunt and Another Round.
Depp, who portrayed Grindelwald in both Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, left the project after Warner Bros. asked him to step down from the role following the outcome of his defamation lawsuit against The Sun. As a result, the film -- originally scheduled to debut in November 2021 -- was pushed until July 2022.
Directed by David Yates and written by J.K. Rowling and Steve Kloves, Fantastic Beasts 3 stars Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Dan Fogler, Ezra Miller and Jude Law. The film arrives in theaters July 15, 2022.
Source: IGN