Johnny Depp Is Front and Center in the Next Fantastic Beasts 2

There was a time when Harry Potter fans would have been delighted to see Johnny Depp in their beloved films heck, there was a time when we didn't know Depp had abused his ex-wife, and neither of those times is now. On Thursday, Warner Bros. released the first cast photo for the upcoming Fantastic Beasts sequel, with the shockingly tone-deaf title The Crimes of Grindelwald. Depp and his hideous frosted hair are here to stay; he now plays the titular character, and the film's title reveal is nothing if not a giant middle finger to Harry Potter fans and audiences around the world. It was basically inevitable, but with the release of the first cast photo from the next Fantastic Beasts movie, it’s official: Johnny Depp will return as Grindelwald, the fiend and former love interest-turned-rival to Jude Law’s Albus Dumbledore.

What’s more, Depp’s character has been upgraded to title-worthy villain; W.B. also revealed today that the second film in J.K. Rowling’s second Harry Potter universe series will be subtitled The Crimes of Grindelwald. As alleged abusers within Hollywood continue to see their stars fall from grace, this announcement might cause a few furrowed brows. Depp’s original casting in the first film ruffled feathers last year, as the reveal of his role in the films came just months after his ex-wife Amber Heard filed for divorce amid allegations of domestic abuse. In the larger context of 2017, Heard’s allegations feel, in some ways, weightier than ever. Yet still, there’s Depp, leaning against a wizardly platform in his whimsically embroidered pants, smirking into the camera with his character’s one good eye. Christopher Plummer’s services, it seems, will not be needed in the Potter-verse. (The first film earned $814 million worldwide so regardless of the aura around Depp, it seems the sequel, too, is destined to do just fine.)

For those who need a refresher: Heard and Depp’s divorce got nasty in the spring of 2016, when Heard accused Depp of emotional, verbal, and physical abuse, writing that the actor “pulled her hair, screamed at her and repeatedly hit her and violently grabbed her face.” Depp denied abusing Heard, and when they finalized their divorce, the two also made a joint statement: “Our relationship was intensely passionate and at times volatile, but always bound by love. Neither party has made false accusations for financial gain. There was never an intent of physical or emotional harm. Amber wishes the best for Johnny in the future. Amber will be donating financial proceeds from the divorce to a charity. There will be no further public statements about this matter.” Heard subsequently donated her entire $7 million settlement from Depp to the American Civil Liberties Union, “with a particular focus to stop violence against women,” and the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles.