Johnny Depp exits Fantastic Beasts films after losing U.K. libel suit

Johnny Depp has exited the Fantastic Beastsfranchise following his failed libel case against The Sun tabloid newspaper over a 2018 article that labelled 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."

"I wish to let you know that I have been asked to resign by Warner Bros. from my role as Grindelwald in Fantastic Beastsand I have respected and agreed to that request," said Depp.

Warner Bros. confirmed Depp's departure and said the role will be recast. "We thank Johnny for his work on the films to date," the studio said in a statement.

The third Fantastic Beastsfilm is currently in production.The movie studio noted that the upcoming instalment will now open in theatres in the summer of 2022 a delay from the previous release date of Nov. 12, 2021.

Depp also said he would appeal the decision earlier this week by a British judge. After hearing testimony from Depp and ex-wife Amber Heard in the high-profile case, Justice Andrew Nicol said that the allegations against Depp were "substantially true."

Depp had sued News Group Newspapers, publisher of The Sun, and its executive editor, Dan Wootton, over an article accusing him of assaulting Heard.

"The surreal judgement of the court in the U.K. will not change my fight to tell the truth and I confirm that I plan to appeal," Depp said Friday.

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

Fantastic Beasts,a prequel franchise spun off from the Harry Potterfilms, has grossed nearly $1.5 billion US between 2016's Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Themand 2018's Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.