The Wizarding World is back with its newest installment.
Will there be beasts?
Will there be secrets?
And will it all be fantastic?
Here’s what you need to know before you see Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore.”
Though "Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore" originally had a release date in the summer,
it's now set for release on April 15, 2022.
This puts the movie on track to debut just in time for the Easter holiday.
According to Deadline, this particular opening weekend has proven to be successful for Warner
Bros. in the past, with hits like "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" and "Ready Player
One" previously opening to big numbers during that window.
Both scheduled release dates were a change-up from the November releases that the first
two "Fantastic Beasts" films employed.
The new date may be an attempt to garner a higher gross for the third film than its predecessors
achieved; while the first movie grossed over $814 million worldwide, the sequel brought
in less, at just over $654 million.
A new release season may be an effort to trend those returns back in the direction of the
blockbuster original "Harry Potter" movies.
Whatever the reasoning, it remains to be seen if this move will pay off, but if past releases
are any indication, Warner Bros. may be in for a happy Easter.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, "Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore" will pick
up sometime after the second film and continue to follow Newt Scamander and his friends as
they attempt to stop Grindelwald.
"Who wouldn't like our chances?"
According to an official synopsis for the movie, "Professor Albus Dumbledore knows the
powerful Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald is moving to seize control of the wizarding world.
Unable to stop him alone, he entrusts Magizoologist Newt Scamander to lead an intrepid team of
wizards, witches and one brave Muggle baker on a dangerous mission, where they encounter
old and new beasts and clash with Grindelwald's growing legion of followers.
But with the stakes so high, how long can Dumbledore remain on the sidelines?"
This synopsis, the film's title, and the trailers indicate that Law's Dumbledore will play a
much bigger part in the movie than he did previously, hopefully answering some of the
questions that fans have had for years about the mysterious wizard.
For fans who noticed a significant change in Grindelwald's appearance from "The Crimes
of Grindelwald" to "The Secrets of Dumbledore," don't worry.
Between flashback sequences, polyjuice potions, and actor shake-ups, more than a few actors
have played the ruthless dictator throughout the years.
Yet when "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" first unmasked Johnny Depp's version
of the character, Depp seemed like the tried and true version of this era's Grindelwald.
However, Depp's ongoing legal battle with ex-wife Amber Heard led to the studio's ultimate
decision to recast the role.
But don't fret.
Mads Mikkelsen is picking up where Depp left off, and he's sporting an entirely different
look than his predecessor.
Depp's Grindelwald opted for bleach blond hair and a pallor so gaunt he looked like
he came straight from the morgue.
Mikkelsen's version of the character seems much less eccentric — right down to the
eyes.
If you look closely, it looks like Grindelwald's signature heterochromia is still there, but
it's much less pronounced.
Given that Grindelwald is taking his rise to power to a political level, his stark appearance
change could be attributed to his need to win over the wizarding population as he begins
his war on muggles.
As he says to Dumbledore,
"With or without you, I'll burn down their world."
He just apparently needs his suit pressed to do it.
There may have been a few shakeups in "Fantastic Beasts" casting, but the majority of the series'
staples from the franchise's first film will return in "Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of
Dumbledore."
Of course, there's no "Fantastic Beasts" without magizoologist Newt Scamander.
Eddie Redmayne plays Newt, the wizarding world's most notorious (and relatable) Hufflepuff.
Meanwhile, given that the film is titled "The Secrets of Dumbledore," it's no surprise that
Jude Law is reprising his role as the much younger Dumbledore.
Also returning is Jacob, the series' main source of comic relief, played by Dan Fogler.
If the trailers are anything to go by, fans are getting a healthy dose of Jacob-centric
laughs in the upcoming movie.
Though with a new wand in tow, the wizarding world's most notorious No-Maj just might be
a No-Maj no more.
As much as fans love the heroes, the villains are equally exciting for a franchise like
"Fantastic Beasts."
Queenie's descent to Grindelwald's side was a shock for most fans, but the trailer poses
a few epic villainous moments for her, expertly carried out by Alison Sudol.
And who could forget Ezra Miller's electric performance as Credence Barebone as he works
through his trauma while toting an Obscurus?
Grindelwald may be the main show here, but his lackeys hold their own just fine.
"The Crimes of Grindelwald" introduced fans to Newt's auror brother Theseus Scamander,
but the new film's trailers imply that Callum Turner will play a much more significant role
in the quest to take down Grindelwald.
Joining the anti-Grindelwald movement in what seems like a big way is Jessica Williams'
Ilvermorny charms professor Eulalie Hicks, following up on her introduction in "The Crimes
of Grindelwald."
And, of course, a trip to Hogwarts wouldn't be right without a cameo from a young Minerva
McGonagall, who alerts Dumbledore to Grindelwald's plans.
Fans didn't get many scenes with Newt's "Crimes of Grindelwald" assistant Bunty, but it looks
like actress Victoria Yeates is returning for the third film, and the trailer is positioning
her as a soldier in Dumbledore's first army against Grindelwald.
Poppy Corby-Tuech is also coming back to the third "Fantastic Beasts" film as Vinda, ready
to fight for Grindelwald with everything she's got.
Alternatively, William Nadylam's Yusuf Kama may have had a rocky start in "The Crimes
of Grindelwald," but Leta Lestrange's half-brother quickly goes from a pseudo-villain to a hero,
spurning Grindelwald's invitation and saving Nagini.
Though Leta herself met an untimely demise, Yusuf will be back in "The Secrets of Dumbledore"
to carry on her legacy.
For anyone who hasn't seen "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" in a minute, Michael
Gambon's appearance in the second "Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore" trailer
may have come as an exciting shock.
However, his cameo is a bit of a bait-and-switch.
While the trailer implies that we may see an aged-up Dumbledore grace our screens once
more, the clip is just recycled footage from the sixth "Harry Potter" film.
"That's why he's returning to Hogwarts.
And it's crucial he should return."
The trailer starts with Gambon saying, "Memory is everything.
Without it, we are blind.
Without it, we leave the fate of our world to chance."
Of course, this snippet is simply an edited-down version of Dumbledore's speech to Harry when
he takes the teenage wizard on a trip down Tom Riddle's memory lane through his Pensieve.
Still, repurposed footage or not, the trailer raised the question – is Michael Gambon
returning to the wizarding world in "The Secrets of Dumbledore"?
That's doubtful.
As far as we can tell, it's only in the trailer for the sake of nostalgia – and grabbing
your attention.
Stranger things have happened in the wizarding world, but as a different Dumbledore once
said:
"It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live."
The "Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore" title sets fans up with serious expectations
in diving into Dumbledore's backstory.
According to Entertainment Weekly, back in 2007, J.K.
Rowling announced that she "always thought of Dumbledore as gay" and envisioned a relationship
between the Hogwarts headmaster and Grindelwald – yet the books barely hint at this plotline.
Given that we've gone through two movies that specifically revolve around young Dumbledore
and Grindelwald, it's been frustrating for fans to again rely on subtle clues rather
than concrete scenes or conversations detailing this relationship.
However, we do see the former friends and possible lovers square off in the trailer,
implying that Dumbledore broke his no-fighting blood pact with Grindelwald.
Hopefully, fans will also get clarity on the pair's history and relationship when they
spar.
Like his sexuality, Dumbledore keeps his family history close to the vest.
However, Hebe Beardsall is returning as Albus and Aberforth's sister Ariana, and joining
her is Richard Coyle taking on the role of Albus' brother.
Maybe fans will get answers on what happened between Aberforth, Ariana, Albus, and Grindelwald
all those years ago.
Presumably fans are more interested in this history than Harry Potter was.
“I’m not interested in what happened between you and your brother.”
Though because the trailer teases a big Room of Requirement moment, Ariana and Aberforth's
cameos might be as superficial as they were in the “Deathly Hallows.”
It looks like Aberforth is already running the Hog's Head Inn, while Ariana has long
since passed — making it likely that she'll resume her role as a portrait guide rather
than a developed character.
There can't be a "Fantastic Beasts" movie without some fantastic beasts, and it looks
like "The Secrets of Dumbledore" is prepared to deliver.
Not only do the trailers feature some beloved creatures like Pickett the Bowtruckle, but
we finally have a name for Newt's trusty Niffler.
Another major beast to make its way into the trailer is Credence's phoenix — lending
more credence to him being a Dumbledore.
Now, it certainly wouldn't be surprising for this to be a red herring, but it's equally
possible that there's even more murky family history surrounding the Dumbledore name than
fans initially thought.
In fact, the title says "The Secrets of Dumbledore," not "The Secrets of Albus Dumbledore."
There's a very real possibility that the title is pointing to the secrets of another Dumbledore
entirely.
Outside of Credence, there are at least two other Dumbledores in the movie.
Presumably they all have some secrets.
On top of the beasts we have names for, the trailer depicts a new kind of magical bird,
crab creatures, and a shadowy group of stingers.
All in all, the movie isn't shaping up to disappoint on creature comforts.
As famed wandmaker Garrick Ollivander likes to say,
“The wand chooses the wizard, Mr. Potter.”
But for a wand to choose a wizard, the wielder must be an actual wizard, right?
If you ask any Squib, they'll probably tell you that a wand on its own doesn't wield all
that much power — it's just a tool, after all.
Sure, some wands are more potent than others, but then again, some witches and wizards are
more powerful than others, and wands choose their match.
So, how is it that No-Maj Jacob is wielding a wand in "Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of
Dumbledore"?
In the second "Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore" trailer, Dumbledore asks Newt
to give Jacob a wand.
Could there be magic in Jacob after all?
There might be a reason why the wizards let a muggle tag along on their quests for years
— and an explanation for how he breaks through a memory wipe.
There are quite a few significant characters from the "Fantastic Beasts" films whose stories
are currently hanging in plot limbo, waiting for a revival.
It's certainly possible that some of the seemingly missing cast members and characters might
show up anyway, but based on available info, it doesn’t seem likely.
Most notably absent is Claudia Kim, who plays the human iteration of Voldemort's snake Nagini.
"Crimes of Grindelwald '' faced a significant amount of backlash for setting the groundwork
for Voldemort to essentially enslave an Asian woman — and then later encase a portion
of his warped soul inside of her.
Whether Nagini's absence is due to the backlash against the character, her casting, or because
her arc with Credence is over, it doesn't look like Nagini will be slithering back for
the newest film.
One significant change from the previous films that fans may not have noticed has nothing
to do with the cast.
In the first two "Fantastic Beasts" films, "Harry Potter" author J.K.
Rowling retained sole writing and screenwriting credits for both movies.
Yet in "Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore," fans may recognize a familiar writing credit
on IMDb: Steve Kloves.
Kloves was responsible for writing seven of the eight "Harry Potter" films, and now it
looks like Kloves is back on his broomstick to assist in writing the newest "Fantastic
Beasts" installment.
The real reason for the assist is unknown, but it could have something to do with the
studio trying to minimize Rowling’s involvement with the film in light of her recent transphobic
statements.
Or, it’s possible, she just didn’t want to write the movie solo.
Regardless, the movie will see yet another returning Harry Potter veteran behind the
camera besides Kloves: director David Yates.
Yates is a "Potter" staple, having directed "The Order of the Phoenix" through "Deathly
Hallows: Part 2" and continuing his reign through the first two "Fantastic Beasts" films.
The director returns for "Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore" to add a level
of continuity that's rare for a franchise so massive.
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