Mads Mikkelsen admits taking over Grindelwald role in Fantastic Beasts from Johnny Depp is ‘tricky’

‘I have to make it my own’: Mads Mikkelsen admits taking over Gellert Grindelwald role in Fantastic Beasts 3 from Johnny Depp is ‘tricky’

It was confirmed last week that Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen is replacing Johnny Depp as Gellert Grindelwald in the third Fantastic Beasts movie.

And while promoting his upcoming movie Another Round, Mikkelsen, 55, spoke about the ‘tricky’ task of making the dark wizard his own while maintaining a link to Depp’s previous performances.

‘We’re still working it out. There has to be a bridge between what Johnny did and what I’m going to do. And at the same time, I also have to make it my own,’ he explained to EW.com.

‘Tricky’ task: Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen, 55, says ‘there has to be a bridge between what Johnny did and what I’m going to do’ as he takes over Fantastic Beasts 3 role from Depp

Mikkelsen said he wants to ‘find a few links’ to Depp’s version of Grindelwald ‘so it doesn’t completely detach from what he’s already masterfully achieved.’

He added that the opportunity to be in Fantastic Beasts 3 was, for him, ‘super interesting and nice.’

But he acknowledged that it comes in ‘sad circumstances’. 

Iconic: Mikkelsen told EW.com he wants to 'find a few links' to Depp's version of Grindelwald' (pictured) so it doesn't completely detach from what he's already masterfully achieved'

Iconic: Mikkelsen told EW.com he wants to ‘find a few links’ to Depp’s version of Grindelwald’ (pictured) so it doesn’t completely detach from what he’s already masterfully achieved’ 

'Sad circumstances': Depp, 57, pictured in October, was 'asked to resign by Warner Bros.' after losing his UK libel case against The Sun newspaper over the description of him as 'wife beater'

‘Sad circumstances’: Depp, 57, pictured in October, was ‘asked to resign by Warner Bros.’ after losing his UK libel case against The Sun newspaper over the description of him as ‘wife beater’

Depp, 57, was ‘asked to resign by Warner Bros.’ after losing his UK libel case against The Sun newspaper over their description of him as a ‘wife beater’.

He was denied permission to appeal in the case after the High Court in London  found a story that he beat ex-wife Amber Heard to be ‘substantially true.’ 

The Hollywood star had played Grindelwald in 2016’s Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find them and 2018’s Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.  

Production on Fantastic Beasts 3 began September 20 in London and is scheduled to be released in July 2022.

Depp had only shot one scene of the sequel, though his ‘pay-or-play’ contract allows him to keep the full $10 million he was paid for the role.    

New film: Mikkelsen made his comments about Fantastic Beasts 3 while promoting his movie Another Round which opens in limited theaters Friday and will be on demand December 18

New film: Mikkelsen made his comments about Fantastic Beasts 3 while promoting his movie Another Round which opens in limited theaters Friday and will be on demand December 18