It's official: Jude Law will be playing the younger version of Professor Albus Dumbledore in the upcoming Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them sequel, Fantastic Beasts 2. The second installment of this extension of the Harry Potter universe follows Newt Scamander and his crew and hits theaters November 16, 2018.
The star-studded movie already features Freddie Redmayne and Johnny Depp, so Jude is another big name to add to the project. Obviously, HP fans — including one of the OG cast members — have a lot of feelings.
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According to Variety, Warner Brothers had been considering multiple actors, including Christian Bale and Benedict Cumberbatch, for the role, but they ultimately settled on Jude.
Director David Yates opened up about his excitement over the casting, saying, “Jude Law is a phenomenally talented actor whose work I have long admired, and I’m looking forward to finally having the opportunity to work with him. I know he will brilliantly capture all the unexpected facets of Albus Dumbledore as J.K. Rowling reveals this very different time in his life.”
Devon Murray, who played Seamus Finnigan in the eight original Harry Potter movies, tweeted that he approves of the choice of young Dumbledore.
Jude Law as young Dumbledore!! #perfect
— Devon Murray (@DevonMMurray) April 12, 2017
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Fans are freaking out about the decision, talking about how the actor is such a heartthrob and the perfect choice.
Holy Hopping Hallelujah! Jude Law as younger Dumbledore! Be still my heart! GREAT casting!!
— Lisa 🎃 Frankenstriker 👻 (@oddbit) April 12, 2017
JUDE LAW IS PLAYING YOUNG DUMBLEDORE I FEEL BLESSED pic.twitter.com/Mo0SkTVOs6
— f thot fitzgerald (@dracomallfoys) April 12, 2017
In the Harry Potter world, Dumbledore and Grindelwald ultimately face off against each other — which means Jude and Johnny will too.
No wonder why Grindelwald fell in love with Dumbledore so fast when they cast Jude Law to play him 😭
— еля 🕸 (@ElviraYaa) April 12, 2017
Others Potterheads expressed disappointment about the casting, even though they're still fans of the franchise.
I can't see young Dumbledore in Jude Law. Like, not at all. As if Depp wasn't enough. Sigh.
Still looking forward to Fantastic Beasts 2.
— 🦋 C (@FlutterbyCM) April 12, 2017
Many said they were amped for the new movie, with the hope that Dumbledore will be portrayed as gay, as JK Rowling has hinted she would include in the Fantastic Beasts movies.
At a press conference, the author previously said, “You will see Dumbledore as a younger man [in Fantastic Beasts] and quite a troubled man. We’ll see him at that formative period of his life. As far as his sexuality is concerned…watch this space.”
Dear @jk_rowling. It sure would mean a lot to LGBT kids & fans if young Dumbledore was portrayed as gay, as you often said he was. Hopeful. pic.twitter.com/K6ztdvf2xW
— Ted Geoghegan (@tedgeoghegan) April 12, 2017
LGBT representation in pop culture is so important, and this platform would reach such a wide audience. It would be a major milestone, that's for sure.
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