Mads Mikkelsen Fails To Look Anything Like Johnny Depp In The Fantastic Beasts 3 Trailer
If you remain invested in the Harry Potter prequel universe, you know Johnny Depp is no longer portraying Grindlewald.
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If you remain invested in the Harry Potter prequel universe, you know Johnny Depp is no longer portraying Grindlewald. Following the ballyhoo over that drama, blossoming warlocks and witches needed some time to simmer their concern for the future of this franchise. Now that we have the new trailer for Fantastic Beasts 3: The Secrets of Dumbledore, the mood is about to change for the better. The wizardly world hasn’t looked better, beginning with Mads Mikkelsen. See for yourself:
This is an entirely different vibe, which highlights the power of Mads Mikkelsen and what he will bring to this film as Gellert Grindelwald. Sure, the trailer was delayed slightly, but it was worth the wait. The trailer has a darker tone, which perfectly serves this part of the story. Dumbledore (Jude Law) and Grindelwald are finally at war and looking to settle this blood pact they created as kids.
If you are “mad about Mads” in this role, you should be (in a good way). Mads Mikkelsen brings a certain gravitas to his roles that this prequel franchise was missing. Harry Potter could get away with the cutesy innocence of children, but notice the older Harry and the gang became, the darker the content appeared.
The prequels have been about Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) traveling around to find these creatures, or “beasts” as they became. Fear is assumed with a plot like that. And although the first film was underwhelming, it was successful. There was a reason to continue, which introduced us to The Crimes of Grindelwald with more adult tones. Yet, in this threequel, you knew things were going to get gloomier. That’s why casting directors had to recruit the perfect replacement for Depp. You can get a closer look at Mads Mikkelsen in the Fantastic Beasts 3 trailer in the screenshots below.
When Mads Mikkelsen hit the mainstream as the Bond villain Le Chiffre in Casino Royale, cinephiles knew there was something different about this guy. He has proven that in every role since. From supporting roles in The Three Musketeers or Clash of the Titans to focal points in Doctor Strange and Hannibal, he is stoically mesmerizing. Somehow, he makes you want to understand his visceral emotions of rage, passion, and disbelief. How many times have you watched this trailer so far? Mikkelsen is a large reason for that intrigue.
The third most-profitable film franchise in history has seen a revolving door from Grindelwald’s dressing room–Jamie Campbell Bower, Colin Farrell, Johnny Depp, and now Mikkelsen. At this point in the story, we are introduced to a tale of Grindelwald, the shapeshifter, who is determined to unleash his wrath. By the look of this trailer, Mads Mikkelsen may be the best person to play this role yet, even if he doesn’t look much like Johnny Depp. For comparison, you can see Depp in the role below.
We’ll say it: Mads Mikkelsen is spellbinding in this new trailer and looks nothing like Johnny Depp did. Look at the exchange between the two preeminent wizards:
What you’re doing is madness. (Dumbledore)
With or without you, I’ll burn down this world. (Grindelwald)
Dumbledore and Grindelwald, Fantastic Beasts 3: The Secrets of Dumbledore trailer (2022)
This trailer is a welcome distraction from why Depp was replaced with Mads Mikkelsen in the first place. The headlines that allege a lot of things about Depp’s past relationship and the marriage with Amber Heard were everywhere Potterheads looked. After three years of dodging headlines, the drama finally caught up to J.K. Rowling and Johnny Depp, and Depp was “asked to resign” from the role.
Since that moment, Depp’s name hasn’t come up much. The beasts of those sordid tales have been extinguished with this fantastic trailer. Fasten your seat belts and grab that wand of yours because this trip to the troublesome 1930s looks like the best edition of the prequels yet. And, in the words of Mads Mikkelsen’s character himself, everything the studio and fans went through to get to this point has been “for the greater good.”
