Merlin’s most baggy Y-fronts! Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them 2 is officially bringing back everyone’s favourite half-moon-spectacled Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, but (obviously) as a younger version.
At a recent press conference for the first Fantastic Beasts film, director David Yates confirmed that Albus Dumbledore will definitely be making an appearance in the sequel.
He 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!”
We sort of knew this was coming, what with the news that Dumbledore’s best friend turned love interest turned mortal enemy, Gellert Grindelwald, would also be making an appearance, and Yates confirming that the relationship between the two wizards would factor into the series. But unlike Dumbledore, Grindelwald’s involvement in the Fantastic Beasts world will be set up in the first instalment.
It’s unclear how old Dumbledore will when he catches up with Newt Scamander. J.K. Rowling previously said that the wizard was about 150 when Harry was at Hogwarts (wizards and witches tend to have longer lifespans than muggles).
However, Rowling’s website later contradicted that statement, stating that Dumbledore was born in 1881, and therefore would have been 115 or 116 when he died on the Astronomy Tower in 1997. If the latter is correct then Dumbledore should be around 45 during the first Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them film.
From Yates’ statement, it sounds as though the film currently doesn’t have anyone in mind to play the Order of Merlin First Class recipient (presuming he’s not just trying to keep casting secrets). However, many fans have theorised that Johnny Depp, who was added to the cast last week, would be playing Grindelwald. But, like most things, this theory is yet to be confirmed.
Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them is in cinemas from 18 November, and the sequel from 16 November 2018. Get a behind the scenes look at the series and read exclusive interviews with the cast and crew in the latest issue of SciFiNow.
