The main reason why I’m personally not hyped about Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald is because Johnny Depp plays a pivotal role in it. In case you forgot, he abused his ex-wife Amber Heard, yet he was still viewed as a respected actor and that he’s the victim of blackmail. Take note that Amber filed police reports and presented photos of her face covered in black and blue bruises.
Safe to say that Johnny received the brunt of this and was later dropped from Pirates of the Caribbean, the franchise that gave him international recognition. This didn’t come as a surprise to people because, frankly, he deserved it. But then again, he’s still onboard for the other Fantastic Beasts films. (BTW, JK Rowling defended Johnny’s role, but the cast allegedly weren’t consulted about his involvement in the film.) Plus, you have people wondering if his career is on the rocks despite his newfound fame as Gellert Grindelwald.
I have a question: Why do you even care about that?
I’d like to say that it’s a miracle that Johnny is still getting recognition in the entertainment industry and didn’t go down Weinstein and Cosby-style. Then I remembered that there are other abusers and sexual predators out there who are still working like they did nothing wrong. Woody Allen is still directing (his latest movie got shelved, which is great); Louis CK still has the balls to do stand-up comedy despite sexual harassment accusations; and Casey Affleck starred in a film last September while still trying to save face after the Oscars controversy. Heck, Bret Kavanaugh was even appointed US Supreme Court judge!
All these personalities’ careers might not be going quite as well as before, but that’s the least of anybody’s concerns. However, you don’t hear stories wondering about the well-being of their victims after coming forward and getting out of the toxic situations they were in. These victims are still fighting against abuse.
In Johnny Depp’s case, he’s still adamant that he didn’t lay a finger on Amber Heard. It’s a never-ending circus on Amber’s part, yet she’s still standing up as a voice in the #MeToo movement. She’s also doing alright in the film department with her latest role as Princess Mera in Aquaman. But you just know that as long as her ex-husband doesn’t back down and still gets the Hollywood spotlight, her battle wouldn’t end.
If your mentality at the moment is “Oh, we should give Johnny/every other actor a second chance to redeem himself because he’s a great performer.” Boohoo, the man’s future is ruined because of what he did to a woman. Remember: If their careers go down the drain, it’s their own undoing—plain and simple.
Art by Marian Hukom
Photo courtesy of Inquirer.net
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