Jude Law to play young Dumbledore in second installment of 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them'
"The Young Pope" lead star, Jude Law, has now been confirmed to don the robe of Dumbledore in the sequel of "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them," American entertainment studio Warner Bros announced.
The studio made the official announcement on Wednesday. According to CNN, the 44-year-old actor will portray a much younger version of the headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The story will take place decades before the original "Harry Potter" movie timeline where he is still serving as Hogwarts' Transfiguration professor. He is also a contemporary of the charismatic dark wizard, Gellert Grindelwald, played by "Pirates of the Caribbean" star, Johnny Depp.
"As fans ourselves, we are thrilled to have Jude Law joining the 'Fantastic Beasts' cast, playing a character so universally adored," Warner Bros president, Toby Emmerich, said in a press release, LA Times relayed. "Jude has been a member of the Warner Bros. family for years and we're excited to embark on this new adventure with him."
Many British actors were considered to play as the young Dumbledore in "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" sequel before Law landed the role. Variety reported that Christian Bale, Benedict Cumberbatch and Jared Harris, the son of the late Richard Harris who played as the original Dumbledore in the first two "Harry Potter" movies, to name a few, were being eyed for the role.
David Yates will reportedly return to helm the sequel for "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them." Eddie Redmayne will also return to reprise his role as Newt Scamander along with Katherine Waterston as Porpentina "Tina" Goldstein.
The sequel for "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" is set to begin filming sometime in the coming summer. It is being expected to screen in cinemas on Nov. 16, 2018. Warner Bros has yet to announce the official title of the movie.
