Watch: Fantastic Beasts trailer hints at return for Albus Dumbledore?
The first trailer has arrived for ‘Harry Potter’ spin-off Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them… and it lays the groundwork for a potential return for Albus Dumbledore.
The follow-up to the popular wizarding franchise, is set in the same universe as Harry Potter but takes place decades earlier, following the adventures of author Newt Scamander (played by Eddie Redmayne) in 1920s New York.
The setting of the film rules out the return of many fan favourites from the Potter franchise, who were not alive in the 1920s – but some speculated speculating that the film could feature a young version of beloved headmaster Albus Dumbledore, who would have been alive during the time period.
The first trailer for the film was released this week – and hints that Dumbledore may indeed play a role in the film.
In the trailer, an unidentified American narrator says: “You’re an interesting man Mr Scamander – just like your suitcase, I think there’s much more to you than meets the eye.
“Kicked out of Hogwarts for endangering human life with a beast… yet one of your teachers argued strongly against your expulsion.
“What makes Albus Dumbledore so fond of you, Mr Scamander?”
Nuggets in the Potter books suggest links between Scamander and the iconic Hogwarts headmaster – who is revealed to have written the foreword for the author’s most successful textbook.
Dumbledore was revealed to be gay by author JK Rowling after the publication of the final Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
His sexuality is not made overtly clear in the series, though it is hinted at through his relationship with dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald.
However, some fans are hopeful that if the character does appear in the new films, it will more openly deal with his sexuality in a more open way – Grindelwald is still ‘at large’ in the universe at the time the film is set, though the pair are no longer romantically engaged.
Actor Michael Gambon is unlikely to reprise the role if the character does return – and no specific casting has been announced for the role.
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is set for release in November 2016.
