The first film isn’t even out for another week, yet we can’t stop hearing about the second part of the Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them series. Perhaps it’s because, rather than introducing us to new characters, Movie #2 will be tackling some major piece of the Harry Potter world’s backstory. Yes, Dumbledore’s going to feature in the unfolding series, as will literal wizard Hitler Gellert Grindelwald (who will be, perplexingly, played by Johnny Depp).
The thestral in the room with all this is that J.K. Rowling confirmed after the book’s fact that Albus was actually gay and possibly had a relationship with young Gellert before the pair become mortal enemies. Will the movies translate this element?
Well, talking at a press conference to promote the film (as reported by Variety), Rowling had this to say about Dumbledore’s sexuality:
“You will see Dumbledore as a younger man 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.”
So yeah, the answer’s a big fat “maybe”, an admission that it is being considered, but the author-cum-screenwriter doesn’t want to halt the Internet’s speculation just yet. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the decision hinges on Warner Bros. figuring out whether they want to have an iconic character become openly gay, although in that case it would be a real shame if a studio felt something that simple would be off-putting for audiences.
I guess we’ll just have to wait and see (there’s sure to be more Fantastic Beasts 2 reveals as the press machine really ramps up).
