Rowling spoke out yesterday amid growing fan backlash around Depp’s casting, after he and Heard split last year in an acrimonious battle that included him being accused of physical and emotional abuse, which he denied.
The former couple ultimately settled their case on the eve of a court hearing, saying in a joint statement that “there was never an intent of physical or emotional harm” and that “neither party has made false accusations for financial gains”.
Yesterday, as Rowling confirmed her confidence in Depp’s casting, Warner Bros said: “This matter has been jointly addressed by both parties, in a statement in which they said there was never any intent of physical or emotional harm.
“Based on the circumstances and the information available to us, we, along with the filmmakers, continue to support the decision to proceed with Johnny Depp in the role of Grindelwald in this and future films.”
Taking to Twitter, Heard re-shared the joint statement and said: “For the record, this was our FULL joint statement.
“To pick&choose certain lines & quote them out of context, is not right. Women, stay strong.”
The statement said, in full: “Our relationship was intensely passionate and at times volatile, but always bound by love.
“Neither party has made false accusations for financial gains. There was never an intent of physical or emotional harm.
“Amber wishes the best for Johnny in the future. Amber will be donating financial proceeds from the divorce to a charity.”
Rowling had said: “The agreements that have been put in place to protect the privacy of two people, both of whom have expressed a desire to get on with their lives, must be respected.
“Based on our understanding of the circumstances, the filmmakers and I are not only comfortable sticking with our original casting, but genuinely happy to have Johnny playing a major character in the movies.”
Fantastic Beasts 2: The Crimes of Grindelwald – in which Depp plays the title character – is out in November 2018.