J.K. Rowling, — a splendid human woman who always seems eager to stand up for what’s right — has decided that where it concerns Johnny Depp, well … eh? Whaddya gonna do? She knows things we don’t know, I guess, and she’s decided that information is good enough for her.

When Johnny Depp was cast as Grindelwald, I thought he’d be wonderful in the role. However, around the time of filming his cameo in the first movie, stories had appeared in the press that deeply concerned me and everyone most closely involved in the franchise.

Harry Potter fans had legitimate questions and concerns about our choice to continue with Johnny Depp in the role. As David Yates, long-time Potter director, has already said, we naturally considered the possibility of recasting. I understand why some have been confused and angry about why that didn’t happen.

The huge, mutually supportive community that has grown up around Harry Potter is one of the greatest joys of my life. For me personally, the inability to speak openly to fans about this issue has been difficult, frustrating and at times painful. However, 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.

I’ve loved writing the first two screenplays and I can’t wait for fans to see ‘The Crimes of Grindelwald’. I accept that there will be those who are not satisfied with our choice of actor in the title role. However, conscience isn’t governable by committee. Within the fictional world and outside it, we all have to do what we believe to be the right thing.

That is a whole lot of horseshit, Rowling. “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.” What? Are you saying that Johnny Depp and Amber Heard decided to brush domestic violence allegations and clear emotional and physical abuse under the rug, therefore you must respect their wishes to do so? You know, there are millions of people who voted for Donald Trump, and there’s a mutual agreement between Trump and those voters to ignore the allegations brought against him by 16 women — should we ignore those allegations, too, out of respect for Donald Trump and his voters?

This feels like a dodge. It feels insincere. It does not feel protective or respectful. It is disappointing.

Dustin is the founder and co-owner of Pajiba. You may email him here, follow him on Twitter, or listen to his weekly TV podcast, Podjiba.