The magic of Harry Potter’s wizarding world is returning with “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.” From the beginning, The Boy Who Lived stole our hearts first with the book series, then again when we saw the magic on the big screen. Author J.K. Rowling built a world so complex in detail it leaves room for more than one story to be told, so that is what she did.
With Rowling as a screenwriter and David Yates (“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows – Part 1 and Part 2”) returning as director, “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” debuted in 2016. Despite worries that it would lose some of the wow factor after eight movies in the franchise, ‘Fantastic Beasts’ enchanted all with new characters, a new setting, and lots of magical creatures. Taking place decades before the events of the Harry Potter series, ‘Fantastic Beasts’ was able to create a certain wonder and charm all of its own while still having that connection. After the first movie’s success, filming of ‘The Crimes of Grindelwald’ was quickly put into motion. It is set to be the 2nd in the five-film series.
Now, in this sequel to the prequel, the awkward yet lovable magizoologist Newt Scamander is back and looking to face off with Gellert Grindelwald once more. Scamander will be played by Eddie Redmayne, a British actor who won the 2014 Academy Award for Best Actor with his role in “The Theory of Everything.” Also returning to the cast is Katherine Waterson, Alison Sudol, Dan Fogler, Ezra Miller, Carmen Ejogo, and yes, even Johnny Depp.
Along with the reappearance of well-loved and hated characters comes a few new ones only hinted at, and one character, in particular, we’ve all been dying to see. Jude Law won’t have to grow a long white beard to play this younger version of Albus Dumbledore, but he will have to put his best foot forward. We all know and love the kind old headmaster from the original franchise, but who knows what changes along with age will come to Dumbledore in ‘Crimes of Grindelwald.’ New stars will also include Zoë Kravitz, Callum Turner, and Claudia Kim.
“Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald” will be out in theaters November 16.