A year ahead of the release of the highly anticipated sequel to Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them, we finally have our first look at Fantastic Beasts 2, which is officially titled Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald.
Here's what we know about the characters in the above picture...
Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) - He barely needs an introduction to Harry Potter fans. This younger version of Dumbledore will be enlisting the help of Newt Scamander after Grindelwald escapes custody. Dumbledore was once friends with Grindelwald, but they had a falling out following the death of his sister, Ariana. The Fantastic Beasts films are set in the time period that will presumably lead up to their epic showdown, which is known to take place in the 1940s.
Credence (Ezra Miller) - His fate was undetermined at the end of Fantastic Beasts, though we knew he was still alive. How will he factor into the events that transpire in the new film? Given the track record for orphaned wizards in the Harry Potter universe, we're guessing prominently. Note, he's still wandless in the above photo.
Claudia Kim's character - A maledictus, she carries a blood curse that apparently causes her to turn into a beast. Interesting... And given her position in the photo, we might expect her to have a close connection to Credence in some way?
Leta Lestrange (Zoe Kravitz) - She and Newt used to be friends, and we know Newt still carries some feelings for her. What makes things even more complicated is that she's now engaged to Newt's brother...
Theseus Scamander (Callum Turner) - In addition to being engaged to Leta Lestrange, Newt's brother Theseus is also a celebrated war hero who now serves as the Head of the Auror Office at the Ministry of Magic.
Tina Goldstein (Katherine Waterston) - Tina returns! She's been returned to her position as an Auror at MACUSA. But how will her path cross with Newt's again?
Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) - His beastly book is out and people know his name. As mentioned, Dumbledore has recruited him to help out with the Grindelwald situation. From WB's recent description, it sounds like Newt has no idea just how dangerous the situation is about to get.
Jacob (Dan Fogler) and Queenie (Alison Sudol) - He's a no-maj, she's a legilimens, and together they make up an absolutely adorable pair. How will Jacob find his way back to the magical world? And will we get to see Queenie's mind-reading skill as a legilimens come into play as this new adventure unfolds?
Gellert Grindelwald (Johnny Depp) - He was briefly a close friend to Albus Dumbledore. Now he's rising to power as he attempts to raise the status of pure-blood wizards up to rule over all non-magical beings.
Fans may have already noticed that the wand in Gindelwald's hand appears to be the Elder Wand (aka the Death Stick and one of the three Deathly Hallows)...
Grindelwald may be the big bad, but given J.K. Rowling's track record for storytelling, it's probably a safe bet that he's not the only opposition facing Newt and Dumbledore's side. And there will be sides...
Lines are drawn as love and loyalty are tested, even among the truest friends and family, in an increasingly divided wizarding world.
One year to go.
Directed by David Yates, based on a screenplay from J.K. Rowling, Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them 2 hits theaters November 16, 2018.
