Taking place mere months after Grindelwald was taken into custody by the MACUSA (Magical Congress of the United States of America). Set largely in Paris circa 1927, Grindelwald has escaped, throwing the wizarding world into disarray as they struggle to catch the darkest threat to the so-called “magique” and “non-magique” alike.
Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne), originally in Paris on a book tour to promote his newly-published “Fantastic Beasts” manual, gets summoned by his former teacher Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) to help bring the villain to justice.
Dumbledore, why are you in muggle garb?
Much controversy surrounded the creative decisions that brought younger Dumbledore to life in “Fantastic Beasts 2”, starting with J. K. Rowling’s decision to completely ignore the fact that the story was originally about Dumbledore being romantically involved with Grindelwald. J. K. Rowling was accused of shirking responsibility when the story was recreated to cover up Dumbledore’s homosexuality – a fact she had revealed shortly after the release of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows".
Jude Law, portraying young Albus Dumbledore in the new trailer, does not seem to be torn over the fact that his passionate beau is recruiting followers to the dark side all over Europe, and fans are not taking it lightly.
My thoughts on the new Fantastic Beast trailer: They should’ve gotten rid of Johnny Depp, Colin Farrel should’ve been Grindelwald from the beginning.
— Manny Castellanos (@Manny_Castell) March 13, 2018
Luke Evans, a gay man, should’ve played Dumbledore, a gay character, and showcase it.
The creatures look dope
me @ warner bros: GIVE US GAY DUMBLEDORE
— darth tantrum (@sp00pee) March 14, 2018
I'm still mad tho, cuz it should be hot gay Dumbledore, not hot straight-washed Dumbledore. https://t.co/BOZ2fyWGgC
— Mike (@TheRyuujinMike) March 14, 2018
I hope it shows that Dumbledore is gay in #FantasticBeasts please @JKRowlingss don’t disappoint millions of fans, representation matters!
— Ariel Walker (@mischiefwings) March 14, 2018
Please, give us the story of young Albus Dumbledore, a splendidly intelligent and powerful wizard who is gay. No more queerbaiting. Explore him. I don’t want to see excuses about risk or ‘narrowing the audience’. After all, “we must choose between what is easy and what is right”.
— Eliza (@rogueskunt) March 14, 2018
The new #FantasticBeasts trailer has me angry all over again that a character isn't allowed to be gay in a film in which he has to wage war on his male lover, who's played by a known domestic abuser.
— Taylor, but very reflective (@TaylorWDriggers) March 14, 2018
(Jude Law's Dumbledore is an adorable bear cub, tho.)
Questions are also raised regarding Dumbledore’s choice of wardrobe.
For eight long years in the world of Harry Potter, Dumbledore was adorned in trailing wizard robes that twinkled at night, a pointy wizard hat, a long snow-white beard and a nostalgic assortment of rings and flamboyant accessories. In the “Fantastic Beasts 2” trailer, Dumbledore is shown in 20s Gatsby fashion. It’s hard to imagine Dumbledore would wake up on his 50th birthday and decide to take after good ole Merlin for the next decade, and there hasn’t been any change in the magic-muggle world relationship to warrant the censorship.
Otherwise, Dumbledore seems to be the same person we all got to know over the years. In the trailer, young Dumbledore tells Newt Scamander: “I can’t move against Grindelwald…It has to be you.”
Although we hear him say that he would not be able to face Grindelwald himself, he is ready to have Newt do it for him – all the while remaining obscure about his plans…Yep, that’s Dumbledore alright.
Bellatrix, is that you?
We have all experienced that all-too-familiar goosebumps running down our spine in that early scene, as we thought we recognized that mad hair fluttering by.
Lestrange will be returning to the wizarding world alright, but not quite Bellatrix. Leta Lestrange, played by Zoë Kravitz, will be introduced as a key figure from Newt’s past.
A possible schoolmate, friend or ex perhaps?
Also joining the cast is Brontis Jodorowsky, who will be playing the legendary Nicolas Flamel; the maker of the Philosopher’s stone. His role in this movie, however, remains a mystery.
Hogwarts is back!
For some of us old-school fans, the return of Hogwarts on screen is cause for celebration. And for some, its exclusion from the first movie was heavily noted; it’s not quite the wizarding world without Hogwarts.
How Hogwarts will fit into the plot of “Fantastic Beasts 2” is another mystery, along with the question as to whether any of the students will be involved in the ensuing chase.
Unlike the first “Fantastic Beasts,” "The Crimes of Grindelwald” will be taking on a thriller quality. Whether it will take on a dark air like the last two Harry Potters, however, remains to be seen.