MUMBAI: Mads Mikkelsen, known for Casino Royale and Doctor Strange, is in negotiations to play Gellert Grindelwald in Fantastic Beasts 3 after Johnny Depp’s exit. Last week, Depp revealed that he will no longer play Grindelwald in the franchise after he lost his libel case relating to abuse allegations by his former wife against a UK newspaper.

The studio had also confirmed that Depp’s role will be recast before the film opens in theatres.

The third film spin-off in JK Rowling’s Harry Potter universe, which shut shooting due to the coronavirus pandemic, is currently in production in the UK. A source told Variety that Depp had shot just one scene as Grindelwald before leaving the film.

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Mikkelsen is known for playing antagonists like Le Chiffre, a banker to terrorist organisations in Casino Royale; Kaecilius opposite Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange; and cannibalistic serial killer Dr Hannibal Lecter in the NBC series Hannibal.

Fantastic Beasts 3 is scheduled to be released on July 15, 2022.

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Credits: Hindustan Times