Johnny Depp to Receive Full Fantastic Beasts Salary Despite Resignation: Report

Days after Johnny Depp was forced to resign from the upcoming third Fantastic Beasts film, it appears the actor will still receive a massive paycheck.

By Mike Vulpo Nov 10, 2020 7:45 PMTags
Watch: Johnny Depp Resigns From "Fantastic Beasts" Films

Johnny Depp is going to receive a fantastic payday.

Just days after the Hollywood actor was forced to resign from the upcoming Fantastic Beasts movie, The Hollywood Reporter reports that Johnny will still receive his full salary for the project.

The publication claims Johnny doesn't have a "morality clause." In fact, he has a pay-or-play contract, which requires him to be fully compensated whether or not the film is made and even if he is recast. 

Although THR reported that Johnny had only shot one scene since production started back on Sept. 20 in London, he is expected to receive his full salary, which could be as much as eight figures. E! News has reached out to Warner Bros., the studio behind the franchise, for comment.

On Nov. 6, Johnny confirmed that he would be walking away from the upcoming movie after losing his libel case against British tabloid, The Sun.

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Johnny Depp's Best Roles

"Firstly, I'd like to thank everybody who has gifted me with their support and loyalty," the actor wrote on Instagram. "I have been humbled and moved by your many messages of love and concern, particularly over the last few days. Secondly, I wish to let you know that I have been asked to resign by Warner Bros. from my role as Grindelwald in Fantastic Beasts and I have respected and agreed to that request." 

Warner Bros.

"Finally, I wish to say this. My resolve remains strong and I intend to prove that the allegations against me are false," he continued. "My life and career will not be defined by this moment in time."

Warner Bros. also issued a statement thanking Johnny for his contributions to the big screen. "We thank Johnny for his work on the films to date," the message stated. "Fantastic Beasts 3 is currently in production, and the role of Gellert Grindelwald will be recast. The film will debut in theaters worldwide in the summer of 2022."

The Fantastic Beasts films follow Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne), Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) and villain Gellert Grindelwald more than 60 years before the events of the original Harry Potter series. 

The franchise, which is intended to include five films, has consistently performed well at the box office. In fact, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald earned close to $655 million worldwide in 2018.