Johnny Depp has made a surprise appearance at this year’s Comic Con in San Diego.
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The actor appeared in full character as Grindelwald ahead of the release of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald in November.
At first, it seemed as though Depp wasn’t attending with the other panel members until the actor was revealed on stage, dressed in full costume. The actor also delivered a monologue in character.
Recently, Depp has attracted controversy following an interview with Rolling Stone magazine and allegations of domestic abuse by his ex-wife Amber Heard.
Heard was also appearing at Comic Con for a panel with her Aquaman colleagues just an hour after Depp’s appearance.
"The great gift of your applause is not for me, but for yourselves," Johnny Depp said in a surprise appearance at #ComicCon https://t.co/03MrlEDqqw pic.twitter.com/CRUTtghMns
— Hollywood Reporter (@THR) July 21, 2018
There's a conspicuous lack of Johnny Depp at this FANTASTIC BEASTS panel
— Kyle Buchanan (@kylebuchanan) July 21, 2018
Welp, I spoke too soon. Johnny Depp just came out in character. "I love you Johnny," screams someone in the audience. pic.twitter.com/5leAott7ox
— Kyle Buchanan (@kylebuchanan) July 21, 2018
Johnny Depp just came out at #SDCC and surprised the audience as Grindelwald. #FantasticBeasts #ComicCon2018 pic.twitter.com/gsufnBrB1I
— Entertainment Tonight (@etnow) July 21, 2018
In character as the dark wizard, Depp said: “We who live for freedom or truth the moment has come to rise up and take our rightful place in the world.”
A new trailer for the movie was also revealed during the panel.
There's #MagicInSanDiego this week! Starting with this new #FantasticBeasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald @minalima art. #SDCC2018 pic.twitter.com/J82XKTHAJf
— Fantastic Beasts (@FantasticBeasts) July 20, 2018
Focussing predominately on Johnny Depp’s character, the trailer shows Grindelwald plotting to overcome the muggle world using magic. Meanwhile, Young Dumbledore played by Jude Law also makes an appearance.
In between films, Depp has been exploring his musical side more, performing with The Stone Temple pilots and more recently with his supergroup band The Hollywood Vampires, which he formed with Alice Cooper and Joe Perry.
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald is released in cinemas on November 16 2018.