Despite having been booted from production after filming just one scene, Johnny Depp is still making serious bank from the latest Fantastic Beasts film.
Depp recently agreed to leave his role as Gellert Grindelwald after losing a libel suit against British newspaper The Sun.
ICYMI, Depp unsuccessfully sought compensation from the paper for damage to his reputation over an article that accused him of being a “wife-beater” to former partner Amber Heard.
Off the back of the case, Depp said he was asked to “resign” from his role in the franchise.
While Depp’s part is set to be recast before the film’s 2022 release, news.com.au reported that he will still receive a cool $US10 million for his time.
As reported by news.com.au, Depp’s hefty paycheck is due to his ‘pay or play’ contract, which stipulates that he is to be fully compensated regardless of whether a role is recast.
In spite of his early departure, Depp currently remains the film’s highest-paid actor, with fellow stars Jude Law and Eddie Redmayne reportedly earning less than him.
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Although Depp has not publically addressed his eye-watering salary, he revealed he chose to “[respect] the request that he vacate the role of Grindelwald.
“I have been humbled and moved by your many messages of love and concern, particularly over the last few days,” he wrote in a statement.
“Secondly, I wish to let you know that I have been asked to resign by Warner Bros. from my role as Grindelwald in Fantastic Beasts and I have respected and agreed to that request.”
Depp also revealed that he planned to appeal the court’s decision regarding his defamation case, saying he will “fight to tell the truth.”
“My resolve remains strong and I intend to prove that the allegations against me a false… my life and career will not be defined by this time,” he said.
Check out Johnny Depp in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald:
