Mads Mikkelsen Hoped to Connect His Character to Johnny Depp's Portrayal, Says ‘I Don’t Know Him’

Mads Mikkelsen will bring his original version on his take as Grindelwald to Fantastic Beasts 3 after taking over the role from Johnny Depp. Some fans were not happy that Depp was replaced and took out their anger on Mikkelsen. However, other fans understood that the actor should not be blamed for the circumstances.

Mikkelsen respects Depp's work in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them as Grindelwald. He said, "No, I don't know him. I met him once," Mikkelsen said. "I wish I had his phone number but unfortunately, that's not the case." The actor added that in terms of preparing for the role and having a seamless transition to the character, "There's nothing else I can do, to be honest. The only approach I can have is to connect the bridge of what he did and what I'm going to do and we'll see what it is.

Credit: Warner Bros.

Mikkelsen mentioned the differences between his and Depp's portrayals of the character. The actor joked, "Well it's going to be me, so that's a difference." He then turned serious and added, "No, this is the tricky part. We're still working it out. There has to be a bridge between what Johnny did and what I'm going to do. And at the same time, I also have to make it my own."

The Danish actor wanted to make the two versions of the character to connect. He said, "We have to find a few links and some bridges so it doesn't completely detach from what he's already masterfully achieved."

Depp had to step down from the role after he lists the libel lawsuit against The Sun who labeled him as a wife-beater in reference to the allegations of his ex-wife Amber Heard. Mikkelsen will be the third actor to play the role in the franchise. The first one is Colin Farrell who played the disguised version of Grindelwald in the first film. Depp appeared in a small portion of the first installment of the movie and had bigger participation in the second one.

Fantastic Beasts 3 is set for a July 2022 release.

Also Read: Fantastic Beasts Fans Blame Mads Mikkelsen For Johnny Depp Losing Grindelwald Role