It has been confirmed that Jude Law will play the young Albus Dumbledore in the upcoming sequel to Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. The series takes place decades before the Harry Potter franchise, and so will see the iconic character in the days before he becomes the headmaster of Hogwarts and as Professor of Transfiguration at the school.
© Photo: Getty ImagesJude will play Albus Dumbledore
The Academy Award nominee will star in the upcoming film alongside Eddie Redmayne, who plays magizoologist Newt Scamander, and Johnny Depp, who plays Dumbledore's former friend and dark wizard, Gellert Grindelwald. Although the official synopsis for the sequel has yet to be released, Dumbledore was mentioned in the first instalment after it was revealed that he fought against Newt's expulsion from Hogwarts. It is also known from the original Harry Potter series that Dumbledore defeated Grindelwald in a duel, and that the pair were once friends.
Jude will join the new franchise
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Speaking about the exciting casting news, director David Yates said: "Jude Law is a phenomenally talented actor whose work I've 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." Fans were quick to discuss the news, with one tweeting: "Holy Hopping Hallelujah! Jude Law as younger Dumbledore! Be still my heart! GREAT casting!" Another joked: "I'm not sure how I feel about Jude Law playing Dumbledore because I'm fairly certain I don't want to be attracted to Albus but I will." JK Rowling also appeared to be delighted by the news, retweeting: "Welcome to the Wizarding World family, Jude Law!"
