Fans of the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them films are calling for producers to replace Johnny Depp in the forthcoming second film, because of allegations of domestic abuse levelled against him last year.

A number of social media users voiced their disagreement with the choice of casting Depp as Grindelwald for the upcoming sequel, titled The Crimes of Grindelwald, which will focus much more on Depp’s character.

The 54 year old actor had only a brief cameo appearance in the first film when it was released in November 2016, but details this week of the second film had fans up in arms when Depp was cast again.

Johnny DeppJohnny Depp

“If Ridley Scott can fire Kevin Spacey, after filming an entire movie with him and voluntarily reshooting it a month before release, then y'all can do the same thing w Johnny Depp bc you still have a year to go #FantasticBeasts,” one fan wrote on Twitter on Thursday.

“The real crime of Grindelwald is taking Colin Farrell away from us in favor of Johnny Depp,” another posted, while a third wrote: “I wanna go watch fantastic beasts pt 2 sooo bad but johnny depp ugh.”

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In May 2016, Depp’s ex-wife Amber Heard accused him of assault and domestic abuse as they separated from their 15-month marriage, filing a restraining order against him. She claimed in court documents that Depp had been emotionally abusive and physically violent toward her, including an incident where he allegedly hurled a cellular phone at her during an argument.

They were finally granted a formal divorce in January 2017, with Depp paying the actress £5.7 million, which she then donated to domestic abuse charities.

Depp’s lawyer Laura Wasser denied Heard’s allegations, and argued that she was “attempting to secure a premature financial resolution by alleging abuse… We are all pleased to put this unpleasant chapter in Mr Depp and his family's lives behind them.”

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