Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore release date, trailer, latest news
All of the info you need on Newt Scamander's next adventure starring Jude Law, Eddie Redmayne and Mads Mikkelsen.
Potterheads, prepare yourselves!
It’s been a long time since we’ve had a Fantastic Beasts movie on our screens, as the previous instalment Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald was released all the way back in 2018.
But now, after various production delays due to the pandemic and the recasting of its central villain Gellert Grindelwald, the first official trailer for the long-awaited sequel, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, is here – and it offers a first look at the trouble brewing in the wizarding world.
Mads Mikkelsen is now in the role of Grindelwald for the third entry in the Fantastic Beasts branch of the Harry Potter franchise, as well as returning cast members Eddie Redmayne (Newt Scamander), Jude Law (Albus Dumbledore) and Ezra Miller (Credence Barebone).
Talking about replacing Johnny Depp as Grindelwald, Mikkelsen told Entertainment Weekly last year: “Well it’s going to be me, so that’s a difference. No, this is the tricky part. There has to be a bridge between what Johnny did and what I’m going to do.
“And at the same time, I also have to make it my own," he added. “But also we have to find a few links [to the previous version of the character] and some bridges so it doesn’t completely detach from what he’s already masterfully achieved.”
2022 is certainly shaping up to be a big year for Harry Potter fans. Not only will Fantastic Beasts be continuing its run in April with the release of The Secrets of Dumbledore, but the original Harry Potter cast also reunited in January for a HBO Max special.
Read on for everything you need to know about that and all the latest news about the long-awaited Fantastic Beasts 3, including release dates and plot information.
In the meantime, why not check out our guide to how to watch every Harry Potter movie online – and in order.
Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore release date
Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore will be released in UK cinemas on Friday 8th April 2022.
This is slightly ahead of the US release date on 15th April 2022.
The movie was originally scheduled for a 12th November 2021 release date, but in November 2020 it was announced that this had been pushed back to 15th July 2022.
The delay was announced following the exit of Johnny Depp from the franchise, while the film’s production schedule was also slightly upended as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Filming for the movie halted after just one day in March 2020, with many scenes to be shot in Brazil, a country heavily hit by the crisis. However, filming has finally resumed as of September 2020 in the UK.
"It’s interesting because we’ve started shooting now," star Eddie Redmayne told CinemaBlend.
"We’re two weeks in, and again, it’s a whole new process. It’s a whole new normal. Testing frequently, masks. And I wondered, actually, whether the masks would affect creativity, in some ways. Maybe that was a bit ignorant, but I just thought, as humans, do we need interaction to spark from each other.
"What is really reassuring is that it is a different process, but it still feels like it’s fizzing and that everyone is working at the top of their game," he concluded.
And speaking to the Daily Mail, he revealed some of the processes used to keep the cast safe during filming.
“We’re being tested several times a week; we are wearing masks for rehearsal; we’re in bubbles,” he said. “It does make you extra careful.”
Filming was paused once again in the UK on 3rd February 2021 after a crew member tested positive for COVID-19. However, composer James Newton Howard confirmed that filming finished later that same month.
"I’ll be just getting ready to start Fantastic Beasts 3, I hope, in March," Howard told Deadline in February 2020. "I know that David Yates has finished shooting, and I’m chomping at the bit to get going, so I hope he’ll give me some movie soon."
Fantastic Beasts The Secrets of Dumbledore cast
Below is the confirmed cast for Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore.
- Eddie Redmayne as Newt Scamander
- Jude Law as Professor Albus Dumbledore
- Ezra Miller as Aurelius Dumbledore/Credence Barebone
- Dan Fogler as Jacob Kowalski
- Alison Sudol as Queenie Goldstein
- Callum Turner as Theseus Scamander
- Jessica Williams as Professor Eulalie "Lalie" Hicks
- Katherine Waterston as Porpentina "Tina" Goldstein
- Mads Mikkelsen as Gellert Grindelwald
- Wiliam Nadylam as Yusuf Kama
- Poppy Corby-Tuech as Vinda Rosier
- Victoria Yeates as Bunty Broadacre
- Richard Coyle as Aberfoth Dumbledore
- Maria Fernanda Cândido as Vicência Santos
- Oliver Masucci as Anton Vogel
- Aleksandr Kuznetsov as Helmut
- Dave Wong as Liu Tao
The biggest casting news is undoubtedly the addition of Hannibal’s Mads Mikkelsen to the main cast, taking over the role of lead antagonist Gellert Grindelwald.
Mikkelsen is no stranger to playing iconic villains – he played Hannibal for three seasons and also starred as Bond villain Le Chiffre in Casino Royale.
His casting came after Johnny Depp stepped down from the role, with the actor announcing he would no longer portray Grindelwald, having been “asked to resign” by Warner Bros.
In an interview with Collider, Mikkelson revealed that he would not be doing an impersonation but would develop his own take on the character.
"Nobody’s interested in me going in there and trying to copy anything, that would be creative suicide immediately, especially when it’s been done before and masterfully," Mikkelson said. "So everybody’s expecting us to find a different path. Having said that, we need a bridge between what he did and what I’m gonna do, so those bridges you have to find together."
As for the remainder of the cast, you can expect to see Eddie Redmayne back as Newt Scamander alongside Dan Fogler (Jacob Kowalski), Alison Sudol (Queenie), Katherine Waterstone (Tina), Ezra Miller (Credence Barebone), Callum Turner (Theseus), Victoria Yeates (Bunty) and Jude Law (Dumbledore), with Jessica Williams set to play Professor Eulalie "Lally" Hicks following a cameo in the previous film.
Meanwhile, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina star Richard Coyle is swapping one magical franchise for another, as he has reportedly joined the film as Albus's estranged younger brother Aberforth Dumbledore.
Elsewhere, Poppy Corby-Tuech will play Vinda Rosier, Grindelwald's Occlumens and close follower, while Maria Fernanda Cândido will portray Vicência Santos, a candidate to be Candidate for the post of Supreme Head of the International Confederation of Wizards.
Finally, Oliver Masucci plays Anton Vogel, the current Supreme Head of the International Confederation of Wizards and the German Minister of Magic.
Not returning this time around is Zoe Kravitz as Newt and Theseus' love Leta Lestrange after the character was killed off in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.
Is Katherine Waterston in Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore?
Yes. Katherine Waterston portrays Porpentina "Tina" Goldstein in Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore.
Tina, however, appears only in a minor capacity for the third film, having previously been the lead female character of the first two films.
Fans had suspected that Tina had a smaller role this time around after she wasn't glimpsed in any promotional material for the film despite Waterston being a confirmed cast member.
No reason has been given for Tina's reduced role but, rest assured, Waterston is in the film.
Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore trailers
The official trailer for the third Fantastic Beasts movie has finally dropped.
The clip gives fans a first look at Mads Mikkelsen as Gellert Grindelwald, the villain role previously filled by Johnny Depp in the first two films.
In the clip, Dumbledore gives Newt Scamander an ominous warning. "The world as we know it is coming undone. Grindelwald is pulling it apart with hate. If we're to defeat him, you'll have to trust me," he says, but can he? Watch above and decide for yourself.
Meanwhile, it had been confirmed that a new trailer will debut on Thursday 24th February 2022. However, this was subsequently pushed back.
On the day of the planned trailer release, the film's official social media page confirmed on Twitter: "The eagerly awaited Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore trailer will not be revealed today. More to come very soon, thank you for your patience."
On Monday 28th February 2022, Warner Bros did release the trailer and it showed off quite a bit of new footage.
The trailer sees Albus Dumbledore approached in Hogwarts before the latest assault from Gellert Grindelwald (now played by Mads Mikkelsen) and his ally Credence.
Dumbledore unites with a number of magical heroes including Newt and his brother Theseus.
"If by teatime, all of us are still alive, you should consider our efforts a success," comments Dumbledore.
There are some epic looking battles and further unique creatures on show.
Still no sign of Tina Goldstein, mind!
Fantastic Beasts The Secrets of Dumbledore plot
The official synopsis for the third movie teases trouble in the wizarding world.
"Professor Albus Dumbledore knows the powerful Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald is moving to seize control of the wizarding world," it reads.
"Unable to stop him alone, he entrusts Magizoologist Newt Scamander to lead an intrepid team of wizards, witches and one brave Muggle baker on a dangerous mission, where they encounter old and new beasts and clash with Grindelwald’s growing legion of followers. But with the stakes so high, how long can Dumbledore remain on the sidelines?"
Back in March 2020, Fogler revealed he had read the script, telling Digital Spy: "The character development is really lovely and it's very similar to the feel of the first movie, which I think is great. It’s leading toward this massive war with the backdrop of World War II, so you can just imagine epic battle scenes are coming."
Fogler’s co-star also gave some hints about what fans can expect from the third movie, revealing recently: "I never really know what I'm supposed to say or not say. But yes, I can confirm there will be surprises. I just thought of one, in fact. It surprised me! I think that's about as far as I can go."
Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore is scheduled for release on 8th April 2022.
Watch Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and The Crimes of Grindelwald for free with a 30-day trial for Amazon Prime.
