Mads Mikkelsen Reveals How His ‘Fantastic Beasts’ Character Will Differ From Johnny Depp’s Portrayal

Mads Mikkelsen revealed how the character of Gellert Grindelwald in Fantastic Beasts will transition from Johnny Depp’s portrayal to his.

On Thursday (April 29), Mikkelsen spoke with Total Film and revealed that the third installment of the franchise has completed filming. He noted that there are “some really interesting, heartbreaking stories” in the film.

Mikkelsen compared his interpretation of Grindelwald to his previous portrayal of the serial killer Hannibal Lecter from the 2013 television series. Similarly, he took on the role following Anthony Hopkins’ original portrayal of the fictional murderer in the films. He explained that they transitioned from Depp’s portrayal into his own version of the dark wizard.

“This is obviously a more direct comparison because it’s the next film,” he shared. “So we have done a few bridges that will allow us to recognize it, but we’ve also said we have to make it our own.”

In December, Mikkelsen spoke about attempting to find these bridges.

“This is the tricky part. We’re still working it out,” he said at the time. “There has to be a bridge between what Johnny did and what I’m going to do. And at the same time, I also have to make it my own. But also we have to find a few links [to the previous version of the character] and some bridges so it doesn’t completely detach from what he’s already masterfully achieved.”

Mikkelsen added that he has been a fan of Depp’s since he was a young man and understands that he can not copy what he has already done.

“To try to bring his [Depp’s] intensity and his way of doing it into my work is a no-go,” he added. “I have to find my own, because his is unique, and I just have to let that be, and find a different path.”