Recently, it was revealed that another familiar character from the Wizarding World would be returning in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. Namely, Professor Minerva McGonagall, with Fiona Glascott stepping into the role previously played by Maggie Smith in the Harry Potter films. You’d think fans would be pleased to see the future head of Gryffindor house showing up in the sequel, but hardcore Potterheads actually have a bone to pick with this.
You see, having McGonagall turn up in Fantastic Beasts 2Â goes against the established information we have on the character. According to a line in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and McGonagall’s bio on the Pottermore website, the Transfiguration professor left Hogwarts in 1954 before working for the Ministry of Magic for two years. In 1956, she then shifted to the career that she’d have until Harry Potter’s time at the school.
The thing is, though, Crimes is set around 1927. If McGonagall graduated in 1954, then she would’ve been born in 1935. So, how can she be already teaching in Hogwarts eight years before she’s even born? Clearly, Rowling decided to wave away her previous thoughts about the fan favorite’s history in order to get her in the new movie.
This isn’t the only time that Fantastic Beasts 2Â has changed the backstory of a Harry Potter character, either. Claudia Kim will be portraying a human version of Nagini, Voldemort’s loyal snake and Horcrux. It was never revealed that the character used to be a woman though and this was certainly news to fans, with many uncomfortable about the casting of the Korean actress in the part.
Of course, this is just the latest gripe people have with Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, following Johnny Depp’s continued involvement and the decision to skirt over Dumbledore’s sexuality. Hopefully these won’t weigh the movie down when it arrives in cinemas from November 16th, as early reactions say it’s another magical adventure that should definitely be seen.
