Johnny Depp didn’t feel fantastic about having to give up a major role.
More than four years after his abrupt exit from the Fantastic Beasts franchise, the actor revealed what was really going through his mind when Warner Bros. asked him to step aside from the series’ third installment.
“F--k you,” he recalled thinking in an interview with The Telegraph published July 5. “There’s far too many of me to kill. If you think you can hurt me more than I’ve already been hurt, you’re gravely mistaken.”
The studio made the decision days after the 62-year-old lost his libel case against The Sun in November 2020, a case that centered upon an article labeling him as a “wife beater” in reference to his marriage to ex Amber Heard. While Depp denied the claim, a judge ultimately ruled that the tabloid’s portrayal of the actor was “substantially true.”
While Depp triumphed in a separate defamation lawsuit against Heard in 2022, his loss in the U.K.’s High Court brought his involvement in the Harry Potter spinoff franchise to a screeching halt.
“It literally stopped in a millisecond, while I was doing the movie,” he told The Telegraph. “They said, ‘We’d like you to resign.’ But what was really in my head was they wanted me to retire.”
At the time, Depp—who was replaced by Mads Mikkelsen as Gellert Grindelwald in 2022’s Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore—issued a statement saying he had “respected and agreed” to Warner Bros.’ request to resign from the role while also thanking his fans for standing by him.
“I'd like to thank everybody who has gifted me with their support and loyalty,” he wrote in post on Instagram following his departure. “I have been humbled and moved by your many messages of love and concern, particularly over the last few days.”
For more roles that were famously recast, keep reading.
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Janet Hubert left the show amid a contract dispute. Daphne Maxwell Reid replaced her as Aunt Vivian.
Game of Thrones
Ed Skrein played Dany's boy toy Daario for barely a season before his role was recast. Michiel Huisman assumed the role starting in season four in 2014.
Back to the Future
Despite shooting three to five weeks of footage for the movie, Eric Stoltz was still replaced by Michael J. Fox.
Han Solo Movie
In June 2017, Ron Howard was chosen to replace Phil Lord and Chris Miller as the director of the Han Solo film after they were fired due to "creative differences."
Game of Thrones
Though she's been with the show since it first debuted in 2011, Aimee Richardson learned Nell Tiger Free would be taking over the role of Princess Myrcella Baratheon in season five. Richardson wasn't too distraught though, posting a hilarious Vine video in which she holds a sign reading "princess for hire."
Fifty Shades of Grey
After Charlie Hunnam dropped out of the steamy production, the search for the next Christian Grey ended with Jamie Dornan, the hot Irish star of The Fall and Once Upon a Time. And judging from the first trailer for the steamy flick, Dornan fit the domineering role just fine.
Life of Pi
Tobey Maguire was reportedly "too famous" to play the Writer character in Ang Lee's Oscar-winning film and was replaced by lesser-known Rafe Spall.
Parenthood
Even though production was halted to allow Maura Tierney time for her breast-cancer treatments, the show eventually had to recast the role of Sarah Braverman to with onetime Gilmore Girl Lauren Graham.
The Orphans
Shortly after Shia LaBeouf dropped out of the Broadway play due to "creative differences," the production signed The Messenger star Ben Foster to replace him. The role would mark Foster's Broadway debut.
The Lovely Bones
Ryan Gosling revealed that he was fired from Peter Jackson's 2009 movie because his 60-pound weight gain didn't sit well with producers. Try not to be too upset. Mark Wahlberg replaced him and he's just as easy on the eyes.
Boy Meets World
Cory and Eric's younger sister, Morgan, wasn't the same girl during the entire series. Lily Nicksay did the honors from 1993 to 1995 while Lindsay Ridgeway took over in 1996.
30 Rock
In the show's pilot, former Saturday Night Live castmember Rachel Dratch played the role of Jenna Maroney. In the end, Jane Krakowski landed the hilarious gig with Dratch still making several appearances.
Raiders of the Lost Ark
After signing onto Magnum P.I., Tom Selleck chose to turn down the movie role, making way for Harrison Ford to play the man in the fedora.
Roseanne
In order to attend Vassar College, Lecy Goranson had to leave the show after five years. Sarah Chalke stepped in, but fans couldn't help but notice Becky's ever-changing face.
Beverly Hills Cop
Two weeks before filming was set to begin, Sylvester Stallone left the project and Eddie Murphy stepped in. After massive rewrites were made, the action comedy film was finally made. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer later claimed the role was also offered to Mickey Rourke.
Breakfast at Tiffany's
When Hollywood bought the rights to the story, author Truman Capote wanted Marilyn Monre to play Holly Golightly. In the end, Audrey Hepburn got the iconic role of a young, beautiful New York socialite.
Despicable Me 2
Almost two months before the film's release, Al Pacino abruptly pulled out of the animated sequel citing "creative differences" with Universal Pictures. Benjamin Bratt quickly filled the void left by the Oscar-winning actor.