Dumbledore’s sexuality will essentially be ignored in Fantastic Beasts sequel

Dumbledore will not be “explicity gay” in the upcoming Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald film. 

It was announced last year that the movie, a sequel to 2016’s Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them, will feature a young Albus Dumbledore played by Jude Law alongside Gellert Grindelwald, played by Johnny Depp. 

Since the announcement, fans have wondered if the film will address Dumbledore’s relationship with the dark wizard, whom he was in love with. 

However, Crimes Of Grindelwald director David Yates told Entertainment Weekly that the film will not directly reference the wizard’s sexuality. 

When asked if the film will make Dumbledore’s sexuality clear, Yates said: “Not explicity.” 

“But I think all the fans are aware of that. He had a very intense relationship with Grindelwald when they were young men. They fell in love with each other’s ideas, and ideology and each other.” 

Yates then described the young Dumbledore as “a maverick and a rebel”. 

“He’s witty and has a bit of edge. He’s not this elder statesman. He’s a really kinetic guy,” he added. 

The comment sparked outrage amongst fans on Twitter, leading Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter novels and screenwriter of the upcoming film, to address complaints on Twitter.

In a tweet, Rowling suggested that fans shouldn’t jump to conclusion as the film is a single instalment of a five-movie series and urged them to stop complaining with a gif of a man muting the screen. 

She wrote: “Being sent abuse about an interview that didn’t involve me, about a screenplay I wrote but which none of the angry people have read, which is part of a five-part movie series that’s only one instalment in, is obviously tons of fun, but do you know what’s even *more* fun?” 

Being sent abuse about an interview that didn’t involve me, about a screenplay I wrote but which none of the angry people have read, which is part of a five-movie series that’s only one instalment in, is obviously tons of fun, but you know what’s even *more* fun? pic.twitter.com/Rj6Zr8aKUk

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) January 31, 2018

At a press conference two years ago, Rowling hinted that Dumbledore’s sexuality and his relationship with Grindelwald would be explored in the franchise.

She said: “You will see Dumbledore as a younger man and quite a troubled man – he wasn’t always the sage… We’ll see him at the formative period of his life.”

Rowling added: “As far as his sexuality is concerned… watch this space.” 

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald will hit cinemas November 16, 2018.