In the Harry Potter films, actors Richard Harris and Michael Gambon brought J.K. Rowling's creation of Albus Dumbledore to life with all the power, wisdom and caring as their counterpart on the page. The upcoming spinoff film Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald sees Jude Law take up that mantle, and one of the stars of the Harry Potter films is a big fan of the actor's take on the character. Evanna Lynch, who played Luna Lovegood, spoke about Jude Law's Dumbledore, saying:
He captures the manipulative side of Dumbledore. Dumbledore's a kind person --- he's nice. He's not manipulative in an evil way. He wants to get people on his side, fighting for the right thing. You see that in book six, and that's really shown more, explored more, in this movie. From what I've seen, I think he's perfect.
Luna Lovegood wasn't always taken seriously, but she was often right about things and hopefully Evanna Lynch is right about Jude Law's Dumbledore. The actress has apparently seen some early footage of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, and as she told The Hollywood Reporter, she thinks Jude Law is perfect in the role.
We often think of Dumbledore for his power, kindness and the twinkle in his eye, but he is also a master strategist who sees the whole board and moves people around like pawns on it. It's that quality that Evanna Lynch sees Jude Law bringing to the role of Dumbledore.
As Evanna Lynch noted, Dumbledore's manipulation isn't malicious. On the contrary, it's about preserving good and getting people on his side to do so, but it is manipulation. We see hints of this in the trailers with Jude Law's Dumbledore convincing Newt Scamander to join his fight and move on Grindelwald. He's kind and charming about the whole thing, but he is still using Newt.
Since the Harry Potter films were mostly through Harry's eyes, many of Dumbledore's machinations were hidden from us for much of the story. As Evanna Lynch notes, in The Half-Blood Prince (and really the end of The Order of the Phoenix and beyond) we begin to learn more about Dumbledore's plans and what he knew, and it definitely casts the wizard in a different light. This makes him far more complicated than just a grandfatherly sorcerer because despite his incredible power and loving nature, he is also deeply flawed.
Seeing Dumbledore in a different time in his life with different sides to him, and with a new actor playing the role, is a big part of what makes Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald a must see for Potterheads. That this Dumbledore will have a bit more of an edge to him and capture how manipulative the beloved wizard could be is especially exciting.
Jude Law can provide greater shading to this rich character as we learn more about his past and the events and relationships that shaped him. Despite some premature controversy, it seems that The Crimes of Grindelwald will touch on Dumbledore's sexuality and his feelings for Johnny Depp's Gellert Grindelwald.
You can see Jude Law as Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, apparating into theaters on November 16.
Check out our release calendar for that and the other big movies still to come in 2018, and for all the latest on Crumple-Horned Snorkacks, stay tuned to CinemaBlend.
