Johnny Depp will no longer portray the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald in the `Fantastic Beasts` film franchise, the actor announced Friday.

`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,` he wrote Friday on Instagram.

Depp's exit from the `Harry Potter` spinoff series comes days after he lost his libel case against The Sun, a British tabloid that published an article in 2018 alleging he was a `wife beater.` Depp said he plans to appeal the ruling.

Warner Bros. confirmed Depp's departure and announced his role will be recast before the third installment opens in theaters. The studio also pushed back the release date for the upcoming entry, which was originally set for November 2021. It will now premiere in the summer of 2022.

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#JohnnyDepp exits the 'Fantastic Beasts' franchise. The actor announced that Warner Bros. asked him to resign from his role as Grindelwald. Details at the link in bio.⁠

A post shared by Hollywood Reporter (@hollywoodreporter) on Nov 6, 2020 at 8:46am PST

In Friday's statement, Depp thanked fans for their `support and loyalty.` `I have been humbled and moved by your many messages of love and concern, particularly over the last few days,` he said.