Last week we got
our first glimpse of the cast of the
Fantastic Beasts sequel, now officially titled
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. The photo provided us a look at returning stars Eddie Redmayne as Newt Scamander, Katherine Waterston as Tina Goldstein, Ezra Miller as Credence, Alison Sudol as her sister Queenie, Dan Fogler as Jacob Kowalski, and Johnny Depp as the titular villain Gellert Grindelwald.
Perhaps the most intriguing star in the photo, though, was Jude Law as the younger Albus Dumbledore. The actor will play a younger version of the beloved wizard, and fans seem to agree he has absolutely nailed the reimagining of the iconic character, who was played by Richard Harris and, later, Michael Gambon in the original
Harry Potter films.
But while the image gave us a glimpse of younger Dumbledore's appearance,
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald executive producer David Heyman spoke more of the character's personality, what Jude Law brings to the character, and how this younger version of Dumbledore differs from the older Headmaster we met in the previous
Harry Potter films.
“One of the reasons we chose Jude is he has many of the qualities we find in Dumbledore in the Potter films. He’s got authority, he’s got a twinkle in his eye, he’s sometimes a bit elliptical," Heyman told Entertainment Weekly.
He continued:
"So you have that but also have this youthful energy and jubilance. So he brings that twinkle, mischief, authority, and power, but at the same time brings far more youthful energy to the film. You understand why he would be your favorite teacher and be someone you believe is an extraordinary wizard.”
Jude Law figures to play a prominent role in
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Gindelwald, as the synopsis specifically mentions Albus Dumbledore enlisting Newt Scamander to help thwart Grindelwald's evil plans.
“Grindelwald escaped custody and has set about gathering followers, most unsuspecting of his true agenda: to raise pure-blood wizards up to rule over all non-magical beings. In an effort to thwart Grindelwald’s plans, Albus Dumbledore (Law) enlists his former student Newt Scamander, who agrees to help, unaware of the dangers that lie ahead. Lines are drawn as love and loyalty are tested, even among the truest friends and family, in an increasingly divided wizarding world.”