Johnny Depp fans have demanded he be reinstated to Fantastic Beasts 3 after the actor announced his exit following the loss of his recent libel case.
The 57-year-old actor told fans that Warner Bros asked him to resign from his role of Grindelwald in the Fantastic Beasts series.
Thousands of fans have signed a petition on Change.org with a title: “Warner Bros, Bring Johnny Depp back as Gellert Grindelwald!!!”
The petition states: “We want him back! Warner Bros should listen to the public or we will boycott the movie!!!”
With a target of 200,000 signatures, the petition was launched on Wednesday, and it has already been signed by 170,000 people.
Thousands of fans have signed a petition for the actor to return to Fantastic Beasts 3 (Image: Getty Images)
It was announced on Monday November 2 Depp lost in his libel case brought against NGN, publishers of The Sun newspaper.
The actor sued the publishers over an April 2018 article which stated he was a “wife beater”.
Three months after the closing statements in court, the ruling was handed down on Monday, November 2, by Mr Justice Nicol.
The judge found that 12 of 14 alleged incidents of domestic violence against Ms Heard did occur.
His statement read: “The claimant has not succeeded in his action for libel.
Depp explained he had been asked to step down by Warner Bros from his role as Grindelwald (Image: Daily Mirror)
“Although he has proved the necessary elements of his cause of action in libel, the defendants have shown that what they published in the meaning which I have held the words to bear was substantially true.”
The judge went on: “I have reached these conclusions having examined in detail the 14 incidents on which the defendants rely as well as the overarching considerations which the claimant submitted I should take into account.
“I have found that the great majority of alleged assaults of Ms Heard by Mr Depp have been proved to the civil standard.”
Depp made a statement which outlined his plans to appeal the court decision (Image: Instagram)
Depp made a statement on his Instagram page which outlined his plans to appeal the court decision.
He said in a post to his 7.4million followers on 6th November: “In light of recent events, I would like to make the following short statement.
“Firstly, I’d like to thank everybody who has gifted me with their support and loyalty.
“I have been humbled and moved by your many messages of love and concern, particularly over the last few days.
“Secondly, I wish to let you know that I have been asked to resign by Warner Bros from my role as Grindelwald in Fantastic Beasts and I have respected and agreed to that request.
“Finally, I wish to say this.
“The surreal judgement of the court in the UK will not change my fight to tell the truth and I confirm that I plan to appeal.
“My resolve remains strong and I intend to prove that the allegations against me are false. My life and career will not be defined by this moment in time.
“Thank you for reading, Sincerely, Johnny Depp.”
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
