Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald

The HP Brand isn't going anywhere anytime soon. A possibility exists where Warner Brothers ends up buying the IP from Rowling and just starts making stuff in that world with new creators without any input from her. It may have happened eventually anyway.

I doubt she'd sell. She's always been super protective of her property, even if she generally mismanages it.

As for Depp, removing him because his legal issues overshadow his acting is also perpetuating the problem; he can't reassert his acting career if roles are being removed from him.

Also, I can't quite remember the last time there was quite a big name recast for a major film franchise. Like it or not, Grindelwald is a major lead and this was a film that's been in production for some time by this point.

I find it really bizarre how when public opinion was against Depp, he kept getting roles — including Fantastic Beasts — but now that the public opinion has done a complete 180, suddenly he needs to be removed. Like, what is the logic there?

That got me as well, guess there's probably more going on out of public sight. At least this seems amicable.

I wonder who's going to play Grindelwald now.

Colin farell probably would be the best bet

He'll become The Ghost,clearly

I think part of the reason they got rid of Depp now was because Wanrer Brothers recently got a new CEO, whereas the old one likely would have kept Depp on. New regime brings in new changes. But tbh I'm not really interested in the Grindelwald character

My biggest problem with this series thus far is that it hasn't really stuck to it's premise, trying to make these prequels is where they messed up for me.

The first movie was called Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and it mostly was about that and fairly self-contained, but then the sequel tries to awkwardly hamfist those characters from the first movie into it when almost none of them belong in a story regarding Dumbledore and Grindelwald. Either drop the Fantastic Beasts from the title or actually commit to that premise again.

What *I* don't get is how, on top of public opinion being against him for years and now having 180'd only for him to be asked to resign, why the living fuck is Amber Herd still on their pay roll???

As for replacements... Colin Farell seems like a good option and I'm fairly certain he was pretty pumped about being in a Potter project at all the first time. And he had good on-screen chemistry with Credence. My only MAYBE concern is how they'd try to justify the actor shift or if we'd blow through it. Or how well he can hold an accent?

My best guess is this is all about connections we outsiders can't even begin to fathom.

Firing one of the lead actors of a major upcoming film in a major franchise after the filming had already started and when his reputation is improving just seems really bizarre. If I have to guess, someone currently in charge of Warner Bros must really have some sort of personal grudge or vendetta against Depp. Maybe a fan of Amber Heard.

I think the whole Fantastic Beasts franchise is in a tight spot to begin with, neither movie was particularly well received and seeing it slowly bleed money despite being a Harry Potter spinoff is making WB nervous. The decision to drop Depp has been in limbo for like 2 years at this point, so it's not like it's a reactionary issue. While public opinion has turned against Amber Heard, she's managed to deflect the principle legal issue that was thrown at her.

I heard one rumor Robert Downey Jr is being looked at. It's hard to say what will happen, but much like Dumbledore in the Potter films I do think Grindlewald has enough make-up on him that the change in actors won't be as enormous on the feel of the films as you might think (I'm not a fan of the character design anyway, so some changes may actually improve it).

What I think they should have done, instead of making this a war trilogy, is make this a series set during the war but without actually involved in it. We've got a million movies about "romance while WWII is going on in the background," this would be that, but with magic. And then, after everyone has had their appetites heightened, they release the big epic war trilogy which is all about Dumbledore and Grindelwald.

Did public opinion really do a complete 180 on Depp, or did people just decide that Heard was also toxic?

The relationship being mutually toxic is the best read on the Heard side of this. For a number of people it was 180 from when it began with the majority (from I've encountered) being on Depp's side now.

Part of it was that the whole ordeal went on for a number of months before evidence emerged that Heard was also abusive, culminating in audio of her mocking him that no one would believe him over a tiny girl. Even if Depp is guilty of the things he is accused of, he bore the brunt of that backlash for a while and the idea that Heard banked on the abused woman narrative didn't go over well.

I was really confused by that too. But then again I am more surprised people are still hooked by FB after the horrible film and the whole thing with HP and Rowling.

The only thing I am still interested in is the final duel between Dumbledore and Grindelwald.

My guess is Grindelwald gonna get disfigurement to explain the cast change.

I heard somewhere that Tim Burton is involving with another Addam Family reboot and casted Deep in it. Is it true?

Edited by BattleRaizer on Nov 9th 2020 at 1:13:12 AM

Most people don't actually follow internet controversies aside from people like you and me.

But yeah, I'm shocked FB still has a following. The Potter Fandom is a powerful thing.

I don't think the movies are bad at all, personally.

Crimes is the only one that I'd say is actually, well, a crime. It's pretty bad and almost every issue stems back to writing problems; the actors and director are clearly talented and can't do better than what they're handed.

The first is amusing and fun which is pretty good, even if it's not always the most focused film in the world.

Saying the majority of the people are on Depp's side is a bit of a stretch. Online I've definitely encountered a number of people who take his word, but the fact that he lost the libel suit was a pretty big blow. He lost a lawsuit where he was basically arguing that it was wrong to call him an abuser because he didn't abuse anyone, and the court ended up ruling against him.

To the eyes of many, that's gonna sound like a ruling that yes, he did abuse his wife, even if the truth may be more complicated and nuanced.

The movie is now opening in July 22, a week after Captain Marvel 2.

...That's not a good sign and makes it seem like WB just wants to dump this out.

Edited by comicwriter on Nov 9th 2020 at 6:13:57 AM

Warner Brothers really needs to go back to the drawing board and fix this series if the intend on making more. It's been about 2 years since the 2nd one was released and the reception/perception of this series has headed south with little being done to change that.

A theatrical release right now seems like a fools errand no matter what date chosen, they have HBO Max and should likely put the remaining movies on there. It's not ideal, but neither is having a box office flop/bomb. Star Wars just had their first one with that SOLO movie not long ago; no franchise is infallible and brand name, attachment, or nostalgia will not always be enough to save a movie.