The unparalleled intellect, the half-moon spectacles, that charming twinkle in the eye – few characters hold a levitating candle to the great, all-powerful Albus Dumbledore. And come November, Potterheads will be able to see J.K. Rowling’s Headmaster in a whole new light thanks to the release of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.
As the title suggests, it’s the direct sequel to Warner’s Fantastic Beasts spinoff – itself the beginning of a five-film prequel series under David Yates – one which ushers Jude Law into the shoes of Professor Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore.
Set in the roaring ’20s, The Crimes of Grindelwald takes place long before Dumbledore rose through the ranks of Hogwarts, and in preparation for the role, Jude Law told Entertainment Tonight that he sought the advice of J.K. Rowling herself before putting on those half-moon spectacles:
Do you know what I did? I sat in a room for an afternoon with J.K. Rowling, and I listened to her extraordinary words of wisdom. She was kind enough to share with me the whole backstory and her future hopes for this young character of Dumbledore and really that set me on the path. I just did what the writer said.
As for why Law landed the role of a lifetime, Warner Bros. producer David Heyman – a stalwart of the Harry Potter franchise – pointed to the actor’s “youthful energy and jubilance,” which will no doubt inject a little mischief into this fledgling prequel series.
He’s got authority, he’s got a twinkle in his eye, he’s sometimes a bit elliptical. 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.
We’ll be able to get our first look at Jude Law in action as the young Dumbledore when Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald is summoned into theaters on November 16th.
