Jude Law to play Dumbledore in Fantastic Beasts sequel
5-part prequel franchise to explore early life of Harry Potter character
Jude Law will play young Albus Dumbledore in the next Fantastic Beasts instalment.
Warner Bros. announced the casting Tuesday. The iconic wizard was played by two actors in the Harry Potter films, beginning with Richard Harris. After his death in 2002, Michael Gambon inherited the role.
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J.K. Rowling, who has said Dumbledore is gay, has previously teased that the five-part prequel franchise of Fantastic Beasts will explore a more "troubled" time in Dumbledore's life. The author said, "We'll see him at that formative period of his life. As far as his sexuality is concerned, watch this space."
Director David Yates weighed in on the casting, calling Law a "phenomenally talented actor."
"I know he will brilliantly capture all the unexpected facets of Albus Dumbledore as J.K. Rowling reveals this very different time in his life," he said.
Production on the next Fantastic Beasts film is to begin this summer, with a release scheduled for November next year. Eddie Redmayne returns as Newt Scamander, while Johnny Depp has been cast as Gellert Grindelwald.
Last year's Fantastic Beasts grossed $813 million US worldwide.
It's yet another young character for Law, after his turn in The Young Pope — something people online have been eager to point out.
Jude Law is exclusively playing young characters now
—@DanaSchwartzzzJude Law was just 44 when he saved the Fantastic Beasts franchise.
—@gonenoemaThey should do a Jude Law biopic where he plays the young version of himself, and an older guy plays him now.
—@joshgondelmanWith files from CBC News