Johnny Depp has broken his silence on being pushed out of the “Fantastic Beasts” franchise. During an interview with The Telegraph published Saturday, July 5, the “Modi: Three Days on the Wing of Madness” director opened up about being recast in the “Harry Potter” spinoff series five years ago.

Johnny Depp has addressed his departure from the Fantastic Beasts film series, offering his perspective on how the exit unfolded. The actor said the studio requested that he resign during the filming of the third installment, shortly after a UK court ruled against him in a high-profile libel case.

Johnny Depp is back behind the camera, but this time it’s not for another blockbuster or franchise film. He’s directing a movie again for the first time in two decades, and it means more to him than ever.