The sequel of Fantastic Beasts, in all probability, is a lot more fantastic than the first film, because it doesn’t just have Johnny Depp playing as a dark wizard, and the possible lover of Dumbledore – but a young Dumbledore himself, played by The Young Pope star Jude Law. Titled, Crimes of Grindelwald, the focus of the film is officially on Depp, who will finally come to fight the actual duel we have been hearing/reading about, which killed Dumbledore’s sister Ariana.
So, here’s all that you need to know about the much awaited sequel.
What Happened So Far
Crimes of Grindelwald is set primarily in Paris, and the French wizarding world could add a new dimension to the story. So far, Dumbledore’s friend, alchemist Nicholas Flamel, and the Triwizard Championship finalist Fleur Delacour’s Beauxbatons Academy of Magic are, are the only side of magical France we’ve seen. It is not known if Flamel will make an appearance in the sequel, but it’s highly probable.
At the end of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Gellert Grindelwald, one of the darkest wizards of all times, was captured by MACUSA (Magical Congress of the United States of America), with the help of Magizoologist Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne). But Grindelwald escapes and starts gathering followers (not unlike another Dark Wizard, who should not be named). And much like Voldemort (who doesn’t come into the Potter-verse timeline for many years) he also tries to raise legions of pure-blood wizards to rule over all non-magical beings.
What Might Happen
There is a concern among the fandom that Grindelwald and Dumbledore’s story arc will take away a lot of the focus away from Scamander and Co, and that just might be true. This is an angle fans have been desperate to know about, since Dumbledore and Grindelwald’s relationship’s true history has been not clearly revealed by JK Rowling.
The teaser photo of the sequel shows two wands, but it is Grindelwald who has possession of the Elder Wand. When the Crimes of Grindelwald begins, he’s escaped custody and is on his way to Europe. Interestingly, in 1945, more than two decades after Crimes of Grindelwald takes place in 1927, Dumbledore once again will take Grindelwald on, in a duel. This time, he will emerge victorious, and acquire the possession of the Elder Wand transferred to him and he would keep it until his death, as we know from the Harry Potter series
The Characters and Actors in Crimes of Grindelwald
Apart from the much awaited stints by Depp and Law, the sequel brings back the original cast of Scamander (Redmayne), Tina (Katherine Waterston), Queenie (Alison Sudol), Jacob (Dan Fogler) and Credence Barebone (Ezra Miller). The sequel will also see a very interesting addition. Pretty Little Liars star Zoe Kravits as Leta Lestrange. Yes, it is highly probable that she is related to Bellatrix Lestrange, the Death Eater, and theories suggest that Leta is Bellatrix’s grandmother-in-law – which would make her grandmum to Bella’s husband Rodolphus.
Crimes of Grindewald producer David Heyman has admitted that the movie will be more of a thriller, and will go deeper into wizarding mythology. “We delve deeper into Jo’s (JK Rowling) wizarding world – we’re in Paris, we’re in London and New York – the world is expanding. As you can tell from the image, we’re following quite a few characters. The new film has a very different feel than the first. It’s got a thriller quality. And it’s also a story about love and passion and all its forms – paternal, romantic, political,” Heyman told Entertainment Weekly.
“We took all we’ve learned from one and just expanded that and created a richer, deeper and more thrilling film which I’m excited to be a part of,” he added.
Crimes of Grindelwald is scheduled to release on November 16, 2018.