Diffindo! Johnny Depp cut from 'Fantastic Beasts' franchise

Johnny Depp has exited the 'Fantastic Beasts' franchise following his failed libel case against British tabloid newspaper The Sun for a 2018 article that labeled him a "wife beater.” Photo: AFP

Johnny Depp has exited the Fantastic Beasts franchise following his failed libel case against British tabloid newspaper The Sun for a 2018 article that labeled him a "wife beater.”

Depp said Friday in a letter posted on Instagram that he would depart the role of the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald after the studio requested his resignation. Depp said his announcement came "in light of recent events.”