The Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them sequel is expected to delve into the relationship between Newt Scamander and Albus Dumbledore along with the latter’s rivalry with the villainous Gellert Grindelwald. In the first movie, he was revealed as being played by Johnny Depp, but before that, we learned he had been masquerading as Percival Graves, the Director of Magical Security for MACUSA.
That character was played by the always excellent Colin Farrell, but will he return to the franchise for the sequel? Unfortunately, it doesn’t look likely. In a new interview, the actor had the following to say about what’s become of his character.
“It was always written that that was it. Maybe he’s buried in a shallow grave and he’s going to die of starvation 17 hours after the film ends!”
That’s unfortunate, but certainly understandable. While it would have been nice to spend some time with the real Graves, chances are that Grindelwald murdered him before Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them kicked off. Throw in the fact that the character isn’t beloved or well-known enough to justify some sort of big return and it’s probably for the best that the follow-up will be placing its focus elsewhere.
Then again, as Farrell indicates in the comments above, the subject needs to be alive for Polyjuice Potions to work, so J.K. Rowling may very well have plans for him down the line, even if it’s not in the instalment which immediately follows Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
For now though, Graves is done, so it’ll be up to the sequel to deliver characters every bit as compelling, which we’re confident it can do.
