The Harry Potter spinoff Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them was one of last year’s biggest hits, and the sequel is due to start shooting soon. It has now been confirmed that Jude Law will play Dumbledore in the movie.
As reported by Variety, the British star will play the younger version of the Hogwarts headmaster in the movie. Law will star alongside Eddie Redmayne, reprising his role as magizoologist Newt Scamander, and Johnny Depp, playing the villainous Grindelwald. Law is best known for such movies as Sherlock Holmes, A.I. Artificial Intelligence, The Talented Mr. Ripley, and Hugo. He will also appear in the upcoming King Arthur: Legend of the Sword.
Director David Yates said in a statement: “Jude Law is a phenomenally talented actor whose work I have long admired, and I’m looking forward to finally having the opportunity to work with him. 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.”
Yates also directed the first movie, which was released last November and has made $813 million at the worldwide box office. The sequel is set for a November 16, 2018 release, and according to Rowling will be the second of five movies. Last year it was revealed that the film would be set in Paris.
Dumbledore was played by Richard Harris in the first two Harry Potter movies, and was replaced by Michael Gambon for the rest of the series, following Harris’s death in 2002.