Danish star Mads Mikkelsen says he wishes he could have spoken to Johnny Depp about stepping in to play the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald following his exit from the upcoming third film in the fantasy film series 'Fantastic Beasts'. Mikkelsen was tapped in as Depp's replacement after the American actor lost a major libel suit relating to abuse allegations by former wife, actor Amber Heard against a UK newspaper last November. Though he doesn't know if Depp losing the role was fair, Mikkelsen said he knew the third film was still on track.

The actor, known for Hollywood films 'Casino Royale' and 'Doctor Strange', and Danish movies 'The Hunt' and 'Pusher', was rumoured to be playing Grindelwald in the yet-to-be-titled 'Fantastic Beasts 3' late last year. The studio Warner Bros Pictures confirmed his casting a week after the reports surfaced online. The makers were in a "hurry" to get the project going, said Mikkelsen.

"But they called me and they were obviously in a hurry, and I loved the script and so said yes. And I know it was controversial for many people, but that's just the way it plays out once in a while," he continued.

The actor reiterated that he wants to add his own touch to the character of Grindelwald while retaining a few links with how Depp played the role. "I didn't want to copy what Johnny had done. I think he's a masterful actor, so copying him would've been creative suicide," he said.

"I had to figure out something that was definitely my own, and yet also act as a bridge to what he had done. My take is different, and the look is a little different, but we'll have to wait for the film's release (next year) to find out," he added.

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