Because if you guessed that the Fantastic Beasts movies would tap Jude Law to play the young Dumbledore, come collect your money. Now I’m really sad that Robert Downey Jr. didn’t get himself cast as Grindelwald somehow. Then we could have had a Sherlock Holmes reunion!
The news comes from Variety, with confirmation from Warner Bros.
At the time of the first Fantastic Beasts movie, Dumbledore is about 45. Law’s just about the right age for the role, assuming the next movies in the Fantastic Beasts series (which by now should be called “Wizarding Wars” or something, since beasts are very much less important than Dumbledore and Grindelwald) take place right after that one.
It’s perfectly fine casting. I’m still annoyed that Law’s Dumbledore will have his great showdown with Johnny Depp, whose appearance as Grindelwald in the first movie was one of the biggest letdowns of the whole thing. If not RDJ, bring back Colin Farrell. He was amazing!
Another question we’re all going to mull until she officially comments is whether Law was J.K. Rowling’s choice. Last year she said:
I have, of course, thought about this. I do have a name. I do have someone in mind, but I can’t say it. Because if that person doesn’t get cast, then the person who does get cast will blame me forever for having said it, won’t they? So, I’m going to just keep quiet.
For his sake, I hope Law is who she wanted. Or that she just says he was. Otherwise that’s a thought that will fester, won’t it?