How 'Fantastic Beasts 2' Addresses Dumbledore's Sexuality

The second installation of the 'Fantastic Beasts' franchise will fill in more of what happened between Dumbledore and Grindelwald.

Jude Law
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Image via Getty/Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

Jude Law

Our minds were collectively blown when, in 2007, J.K. Rowling revealed that our favorite Hogwarts headmaster, Albus Dumbledore was gay. In his youth, he fell in love with the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald, until they had huge falling out. The next Fantastic Beasts film, The Crimes of Grindelwald, aims to fill in more of what happened between Dumbledore and Grindelwald.

For the first time, we will meet a young Dumbledore (Jude Law), who will be in hot pursuit of the fleeing Grindelwald (Johnny Depp). But we wonder, will we find out more about Dumbledore’s sexuality and their relationship?

According to Entertainment Weekly, The Crimes of Grindelwald director David Yates, this answer isn’t so straightforward. “Not explicitly,” Yates said. “But I think all the fans are aware of that. He had a very intense relationship with Grindelwald when they were young men. They fell in love with each other’s ideas, and ideology, and each other.”

However, the movie will give us a better understanding of Dumbledore’s character. “He’s a maverick and a rebel and he’s an inspiring teacher at Hogwarts. He’s witty and has a bit of edge. He’s not this elder statesman. He’s a really kinetic guy. And opposite Johnny Depp as Grindelwald, they make an incredible pairing.”

Still, it’s likely the franchise will address Dumbledore’s sexuality eventually. “I can’t tell you everything I would like to say because this is obviously a five-part story so there’s lots to unpack in that relationship,” Rowling noted two years ago, at a press conference. “You will see Dumbledore as a younger man and quite a troubled man—he wasn’t always the sage… We’ll see him at that formative period of his life. As far as his sexuality is concerned… watch this space.”

The Harry Potter spinoff Fantastic Beasts was bumped up to a five-movie franchise in 2016. The next installation is scheduled for release on Nov. 16.

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