Daniel Radcliffe, renowned for his role in Harry Potter, added his perspective to the debate surrounding the casting of Johnny Depp in the spin-off film Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.
In an interview with EW, the actor was questioned about the controversy surrounding Johnny Depp portraying the notorious wizard Gillert Grindelwald in the film, considering the abuse allegations made by his ex-wife Amber Heard.
Producers Defended The Casting Of The Film
The film’s writer, J.K. Rowling, director David Yates, and studio Warner Bros. have each released statements in support of the casting decision. While some fans have shown their backing for Depp’s involvement, others have expressed strong outrage over the matter. “It’s a very hard thing for me,” Radcliffe said while noting that the producers “gave me a great start in life and an amazing job.“
But, he also said, “I can see why people are frustrated with the response that they were given from that … I’m not saying anything that anybody hasn’t already said — and this is a weird analogy to draw — [but] in the NFL, there are lots of players arrested for smoking weed and there is other people’s behavior that goes way beyond that and it’s tolerated because they’re very famous players. I suppose the thing I was struck by was, we did have a guy who was reprimanded for weed on the [original Potter] film, essentially, so obviously what Johnny has been accused of is much greater than that.”
Radcliffe is referring to Jamie Waylett, the actor who portrayed the Hogwarts bully Vincent Crabbe. Waylett had a role in six Harry Potter films but was removed from the two-part adaptation of Deathly Hallows following his arrest in 2009 for cultivating ten marijuana plants.
Waylett’s dismissal from the Harry Potter franchise due to his pot offense is often cited by fans opposing Johnny Depp’s casting. Unlike Depp, Waylett was a relatively unknown actor at the time of his removal and had been arrested and pleaded guilty to growing marijuana plants at his mother’s residence. Additionally, he faced another arrest for carrying a homemade bomb during the 2011 London riots.
Daniel Radcliffe Wanted To Be Spider-Man
Audiences are enthralled by Radcliffe’s unyielding talent and commitment to his craft, as he continues to evolve as an actor. Though widely recognized for his iconic portrayal of a certain boy wizard, Daniel Radcliffe has also expressed a longstanding desire to be part of another film franchise. He has openly revealed that taking on the role of Spider-Man has been a lifelong dream for him.
In an interview exclusively with Metro.co.uk, Daniel Radcliffe shared his conviction that he could have thrived as Spider-Man, even though he recognizes that the chance has now passed. He expressed delight in seeing Tom Holland excel in the role and revealed his deep fondness for superhero movies, showcasing his genuine love for the genre.
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald is available for streaming on HBO Max.
Source: EW
