Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them's April trailer dropped a fun Harry Potter reference when Colin Farrell's character, Percival Graves, mentioned how a certain Albus Dumbledore argued on behalf of Eddie Redmayne's Newt Scamander before the latter was expelled from Hogwarts. It was a fun way to tie this Wizarding World prequel to the main Harry Potter movies, but alas, Dumbledore won't be appearing in Fantastic Beasts. However, it was confirmed today that the future Hogwarts headmaster will pop up in Fantastic Beasts 2. Here's what director David Yates said:
In the second movie Dumbledore comes back. He's got a couple of good scenes with Newt... We're discussing who would play Dumbledore, any suggestions would be good. [Laughs]
During a Fantastic Beasts press junket (via Screen Rant), David Yates revealed that moviegoers will see a younger Albus Dumbledore in Fantastic Beasts 2, and he'll share screen time with the series' main protagonist. Casting is currently underway for the new Dumbledore, but judging by Yates' comment, it sounds like it may be a while until they find the right actor for the job. At least we can cross out Johnny Depp from the list.
Fans of Harry Potter have been eagerly awaiting confirmation that Harry's old headmaster might show up at some point during the five-movie run of this franchise. As much was hinted but not entirely confirmed at the Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them IMAX event in October. With the film set to arrive in theaters in a matter of weeks, more information about the franchise is beginning to emerge.
Beyond the reference to Dumbledore in the trailer, there are also references to Gellert Grindelwald, a dark wizard who's causing problems in Europe. Harry Potter fans are well familiar with Grindelwald's reputation, not only because he's one of the commonly referenced names of dark wizards to precede Lord Voldemort, but also because he was once Dumbledore's closest friend, before the two had a falling out over the death of Albus' sister. That took place during their youth.
Both characters would be in their mid-forties around the time of the events of Fantastic Beasts (1926). Knowing that Grindelwald is on the rise during this time period, Harry Potter fans have been speculating just how big a role the character would play in these movies. And with that speculation comes the hope that Albus Dumbledore would also factor in somehow. We know he and Newt are on good terms. But will their paths cross during these movies? David Yates has given us the confirmation we were hoping for. We'll see Albus Dumbledore in Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them 2, And he'll be played by... it sounds like they haven't gotten that far just yet, though we have to wonder who's on their wishlist.
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them 2 will be released in theaters on November 16, 2018.
