It’s not entirely common for one actor to take over a role for another actor, and it’s certainly more of a challenge when that role is tied to one of the most popular franchises in the world. But that’s the task ahead ofMads Mikkelsenas it relates toFantastic Beasts 3, as theAnother Roundactor signed on to take over the main role of Gellert Grindelwald fromJohnny Deppwho stepped down from the franchise.
Mikkelsen is no stranger to franchise filmmaking having appeared in Marvel’sDoctor Strange, theStar WarsprequelRogue One, and of course the excellent Bond filmCasino Royale, but withFantastic Beasts 3he’s stepping into a role that Depp originated in the previous two films. However, when speaking with Collider’s Christina Radish about the challenge, he explained that he needed to develop his own take on Grindelwald:
“Nobody’s interested in me going in there and trying to copy anything, that would be creative suicide immediately, especially when it’s been done before and masterfully. So everybody’s expecting us to find a different path. Having said that, we need a bridge between what he did and what I’m gonna do, so those bridges you have to find together, whether it’s a certain look, whether it’s a certain attitude in certain situations, but you have to make it your own. Anything else would be plainly just creatively stupid.”
RELATED:David Yates Is Still Committed to Directing All 5 ‘Fantastic Beasts’ Films
TheHarry Potterfranchise has undergone casting changes before, most notably with Dumbledore whenRichard Harrispassed away after appearing in the first two films.Michael Gamboncame in with his own take on the character, but there was still a sense of continuity through the franchise. One expects that will be the same withFantastic Beasts 3, which wrapped filming this year and is due to be released in theaters on July 08, 2025.
When asked what drew him toFantastic Beasts, Mikkelsen revealed that he’s not only a fan of thePotterfranchise, but it was also an opportunity to do a kind of film that doesn’t get made in his home country of Denmark:
“I’m a big fan of the Potter universe, and it’s a kind of genre that you don’t touch upon in my part of the world. You can’t get away with that budget-wise in Denmark, so obviously when it came my way it was a fantastic opportunity.”
Look for our full interview with Mikkelsen on Collider soon.
KEEP READING:Mads Mikkelsen on the ‘Indiana Jones 5’ Script: “It Was Everything I Wished It to Be”
