Jude Law Will Take On A Young (& Gay) Dumbledore In Fantastic Beasts Sequel

It’s been suggested that over the course of the five planned Fantastic Beasts movies, the focus will move away from Eddie Redmayne’s Newt Scamander and towards a young Albus Dumbledore. That makes sense, as from the Harry Potter books we know it’s Dumbledore who took on the evil Gellert Grindelwald (Johnny Depp) in a climactic battle in 1945.

Now we know who will play the future Hogwarts headmaster, as Warner Brothers has announced that Jude Law will take on the role. As the studio notes about Dumbledore in the announcement, in Fantastic Beasts 2, ‘We meet him decades earlier, when Dumbledore is still serving as the wizarding school’s Transfiguration professor.  He is also a contemporary of Gellert Grindelwald, the charismatic dark wizard who believes wizards are superior to Muggles and No-Majs.’

Of course, JK Rowling has also revealed Dumbledore is gay, and there were hints in the Potter books that his early friendship with Grindelwald wasn’t purely platonic, before they fell out following the death of Albus’ sister. What’s not known is whether Dumbledore’s sexuality will come into play in the Fantastic Beasts films. However, Rowling has suggested he may be acknowleged as gay in the movies, saying in an interview, ‘As far as his sexuality is concerned… Watch this space.’

Director David Yates comments on the casting, “Jude Law is a phenomenally talented actor whose work I have long admired, and I’m looking forward to finally having the opportunity to work with him.  I know he will brilliantly capture all the unexpected facets of Albus Dumbledore as J.K. Rowling reveals this very different time in his life.”

The sequel is set for release on November 16th, 2018.