The first novel by J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter, was released in 1997 and has since created a global phenomenon, captivating readers around the world to this day. The series, consisting of seven books, has been adapted into eight films and concluded in 2011, yet its audience continues to engage with this enchanting universe. Consequently, Warner Bros. has continued to release Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, a spin-off film set in the same magical world as Harry Potter.
Directed by David Yates with the participation of J.K. Rowling, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is the first installment of a planned five-part film series centered around the adventures of Newt Scamander, a magizoologist fascinated by magical creatures. During his travels to New York, he inadvertently unleashes dangerous creatures that wreak havoc across the city.
According to a previous statement from the production house, Johnny Depp will appear as the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald. This implies that we will also encounter the character of Albus Dumbledore, who is interconnected with the story.
During a press conference for Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, when asked about the timeline version of Dumbledore in the film (which has not yet revealed the identity of the actor), J.K. Rowling provided an intriguing insight regarding the storyline that has fans eagerly anticipating:
“I think I can answer that question. Although I can’t reveal everything for you, I still want to mention that there are quite a few relationships that will be illuminated over the course of the five films. You will see a version of Dumbledore, a young man navigating through challenges, who isn’t always serious, yet remains clever and astute. This will form the foundation for the character’s development later on. And of course, Dumbledore’s romantic orientation will also be revealed, so please be patient.”
Thus, according to J.K. Rowling, audiences will gain a clearer understanding of Dumbledore’s sexual orientation in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them 2. However, there may be some hints regarding this topic in the first installment set to be released on November 18.
As an avid fan of Harry Potter, you are likely aware that Dumbledore’s sexual orientation has never been officially addressed in any film adaptations, even though the close relationship between him and the dark wizard Grindelwald has been referenced in the lore. However, in a fan interaction in 2007, J.K. Rowling confirmed that Dumbledore is gay and that he had loved Grindelwald (the role played by Johnny Depp).
Nevertheless, Dumbledore’s love story will not be painted in vibrant colors; rather, it may carry more tragic elements, as we know that the context of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them takes place in 1926. During this time, Grindelwald had already become a dangerous dark wizard, aiming to expose the wizarding world to the public, while Dumbledore had also transitioned to a dark wizard, ultimately confronting Grindelwald.
Let us wait and see if any additional details regarding the relationship between Dumbledore and Grindelwald will be revealed in the upcoming film, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
