Film critics are suggesting that Johnny Depp has been outshone by Mads Mikkelsen in the role of Gellert Grindelwald in the latest Fantastic Beasts film.
The infamous actor first took on the role of the evil wizard Grindelwald in ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them’ back in 2016 and the sequel ‘The Crimes of Grindelwald.’
Mikkelsen’s role for the new film was announced in November 2020 after Depp was asked to resign from the role in ‘The Secrets of Dumbledore’, after his libel case loss against The Sun.
Reviews from the film started to emerge last weekend following its release on April 8th, which marks Mikkelsen’s debut in the franchise and the role.
This film seems to have mixed reviews, but many critics agree that Mikkelsen outperformed Depp as Grindelwald.
On review from the Insider read, “With Depp, I couldn’t understand why anyone would want to follow a wizard who comically looked like another bizarre invention out of the actor’s menagerie of eccentric characters he’s played over the years.
“In contrast, Mikkelsen plays Grindelwald with a suave, charming charisma that convinces you of why anyone would be seduced by this alluring, handsome wizard and be suckered into fighting a war for him… Mikkelsen slips into the role of Grindelwald so naturally that it’s easy to forget Depp had ever played the role.”
A film critic for Variety said, Mikkelsen played Grindelwald ‘in a more grounded, less cartoonishly menacing vein’.
Fans on Twitter both agree and disagree with one commenting, “He’s so much better than Depp as Grindelwald TBH.” and “I wasn’t sure about him… but now that I’ve seen Mads, I can safely say he’s the PERFECT Grindelwald. Much better than Johnny, by far.”.
Just been to see @FantasticBeasts , really did love it. But Johnny Depp should be Grindelwald, he makes that character come alive and would have made the film so much better #JusticeForJohnnyDepp #JohnnyDepp
— Elouise Taylor (@Ulwaz) April 10, 2022
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