While JK Rowling has made no secret of her disagreements with Donald Trump, Johnny Depps character in Fantastic Beats sequel, the Crimes of Grindelwald wasnt based on the President.
Shed written the chapter long before the debacle the world is currently seeing.
However, the cast of the movie, which is to be released very very soon, has addressed the likeness between Johnnys villainous Grindelwald and Trump and turns out they admit there are some similarities there.
Katherine Waterston, who plays Tina Goldstein, says the villain created by the mighty pen of Rowling was more subtle than Trump.
Every bad guy is more nuanced and subtle than Trump. He is like the most overt bad guy of all time, she said in an interview with AP. But its amazing because she was actually writing this long before the election happened — this chapter of the story.
So yeah, its interesting actually with brilliant people, if theyre paying attention to the way the world is going, they actually tend to predict the future. Yeah, but it really is I think from paying close attention. And shes so politically active.
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Ezra Miller, who plays Credence Barebone in the film, which also stars Eddie Redmayne, added perhaps Grindelwald mirrored many political leaders throughout history and cant be traced solely back to one.
I think its approaching universal themes that sure, can you look at all of the autocrats in all of history and be like, “Yup, they are all kind of that guy, sure”, he said. Theres a period where they just convince everyone that they are on their team and theyre going to get them good jobs and its going to be awesome.
And thats like how tyranny works. Like at first they convince you that they have the right to rule you. And then they arm up and get it on. Its a universal story.
Johnnys character has already been at the centre of controversy, after fans hit out against Rowling, as well as director David Yates and producer David Heyman, for allowing the 55-year-old to be part of the film, following allegations of domestic abuse made against him by ex-wife Amber Heard – something he has fiercely denied.
The Pirates Of The Caribbean actor revealed he felt bad for the Harry Potter author for having to face the negativity behind his casting – after Rowling defended her decision to have him included in the film.
When Johnny Depp was cast as Grindelwald, I thought hed be wonderful in the role. However, around the time of filming his cameo in the first movie, stories had appeared in the press that deeply concerned me and everyone most closely involved in the franchise, the author said in a statement. Harry Potter fans had legitimate questions and concerns about our choice to continue with Johnny Depp in the role. As David Yates, long-time Potter director, has already said, we naturally considered the possibility of recasting. I understand why some have been confused and angry about why that didnt happen.
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The huge, mutually supportive community that has grown up around Harry Potter is one of the greatest joys of my life. For me personally, the inability to speak openly to fans about this issue has been difficult, frustrating and at times painful. However, the agreements that have been put in place to protect the privacy of two people, both of whom have expressed a desire to get on with their lives, must be respected.
More: J. K. Rowling
Based on our understanding of the circumstances, the filmmakers and I are not only comfortable sticking with our original casting, but genuinely happy to have Johnny playing a major character in the movies.
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald is in cinemas 6 November.
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