Fantastic Beasts 2 Director David Yates Says Dumbledore Won’t Be ‘Explicitly’ Gay In The Sequel

Much to the ire of LGBTQ Harry Potter fans around the globe, Fantastic Beasts: The Crime Of Grindelwald director David Yates has revealed that the upcoming magical movie won’t be ‘explicitly’ dealing with Albus Dumbledore’s sexuality. Many had hoped that after both the Harry Potter books and films sidestepped the fact Dumbledore is gay – despite JK Rowling confirming this – it would be more apparent in the Fantastic Beast sequel, where a younger version of the future Hogwarts headmaster will be played by Jude Law.

Screenwriter Rowling has also previously said, “As far as his sexuality is concerned… Watch this space,” which many took to mean the film would address Dumbledore’s sexuality. However, when EW asked Yates whether the second Fantastic Beasts would indeed ackowledge that Dumbledore is gay, he said “Not explicitly.”

He then added, “I think all the fans are aware of that. He had a very intense relationship with Grindelwald when they were young men. They fell in love with each other’s ideas, and ideology and each other.”

Although Yates went on to try to excite fans with the idea of Law as a younger, more dynamic Dumbledore – “a maverick and a rebel and he’s an inspiring teacher at Hogwarts. He’s witty and has a bit of edge” – that won’t please those hoping for the film to properly represent Albus’ sexuality. Indeed, for many it will be rubbing salt into the wound, as there has been a growing feeling that Rowling has been a bit disengenuous by saying the character is gay – and receiving kudos for that – and then never creating anything that properly gives expression to it.

However, when Rowling said ‘Watch this space’, it was in the context of Fantastic Beast as a five-film series, which means we could be getting a gay Dumbeldore in a later movies. Even so, many will wonder why we have to wait, especially as the series will increasingly revolve around Dumbledore and Grindelwald, which is essentially a tragic tale of lovers turned enemies – but so far without ever admitting they were lovers.