This is exciting for every Harry Potter fans. Young Dumbledore is officially on his way with his old friend Gellert Grindelwald aka Johnny Depp.
The news was confirmed by director David Yates, who eventually directed the final four Harry Potter films and Fantastic Beasts as well. Yates is also directing the sequel from a script by Rowling with David Heyman producing.
In speaking with The Leaky Cauldron, Yates revealed the reason for choosing Depp to fill such a significant role. "Johnny Depp is a real artist. He's created several characters who have really resonated in our popular culture. He's a really brilliant, brilliant actor. We were excited about seeing what he would do with this guy, the character. He's fearless; he's imaginative; he's ambitious." We thought he would do something fun and special. So we went for him, purely on that selfish basis. We don't care if he's famous or not famous. We just know he's interesting," he further added.
Every potter head would remember that Gellert Grindelwald used to be young Dumbledore's best friend until he turned into the future Hogwarts headmasters's greatest enemy. Thus, it means that audience could witness a tragic Dumbledore-Grindelwald romance play out over the Fantastic Beasts franchise.
Fantastic Beats and Where to Find Them is a children's fantasy film set in JK Rowling's "wizarding world" in 1926, which is 70 years before Harry potter enrols at Hogwarts. Depp appeared for a cameo in the first film of the series. As J.K. Rowling confirmed that the series has total five films, while director David Yates confirmed for the first two.
David Yates and producer David Heyman are also looking out for a young Dumbledore. They said, "No, we need a younger Dumbledore. Jared Harris is a fine actor. But, yes? Any recommendation."
The "Fantastic Beasts" sequel will be released on Nov. 16, 2018. Shooting of this film will begin next year.
