Johnny Depp gives first 'Fantastic Beasts' interview, addresses casting controversy

Johnny Depp hasn't spoken about being cast as Grindelwald in the Fantastic Beasts franchise since news broke in 2016, but the actor gave Entertainment Weekly a rare phone interview as Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald approaches.

Depp's casting remains a subject of caution and contention among swaths of Harry Potter fans because he was accused of assaulting ex-wife Amber Heard several months before Beasts premiered (some fans plan to boycott the film and franchise entirely).

"Ultimately, there is real controversy," the actor told EW. "The fact remains I was falsely accused, which is why I’m suing the Sun newspaper for defamation for repeating false accusations. J.K. [Rowling] has seen the evidence and therefore knows I was falsely accused, and that’s why she has publicly supported me. She doesn’t take things lightly. She would not stand up if she didn’t know the truth."

As images and trailers for The Crimes of Grindelwald trickled in over the past two years, voices opposing Depp's casting grew loud enough to catch the attention of Rowling and director David Yates.

Yates effectively said that the Depp he worked with didn't seem the type to be an abuser (they rarely do), while Rowling was a little more thorough and hinted that she was aware of circumstances to which others were not privy – a hint now solidified by Depp saying she has "seen the evidence."

Right after Rowling's statement, Heard, who had otherwise kept her distance from the acrimonious divorce, pointed back to the joint statement she released with Depp, in which they stated "neither party has made false accusations" and that their relationship was "intensely passionate and at times volatile."

That last part is particularly chilling in context with one thing Depp said about Grindelwald and Dumbledore in the Fantastic Beasts sequel.

"When you loved someone, and cared for someone, and it arrives into a [combative] arena... it’s very dangerous when it becomes personal," he said.

Depp offered little on his character's sexuality, another subject of online outrage. Rowling previously revealed that Dumbledore is gay and loved Grindelwald, but Yates said in January that Dumbledore's sexuality would not be explicit in the film. He has since made conflicting comments including "it's clear... that he is gay" and that he shares "sensual moments" with Grindelwald. Depp said the audience should "feel" the relationship as they perceive it.

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald will hit theaters Nov. 16.