‘Fantastic Beasts’ Director Reveals How the Sequel Will Handle Dumbledore’s Sexuality

By now, all Harry Potter fans know that Hogwarts’ most beloved headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, is a gay man. Series author J.K. Rowling confirmed the news to fans years ago, and revealed that Dumbledore, at one point, was in love with the evil wizard Gellert Grindelwald.

When said evil wizard was announced as the main antagonist of the Fantastic Beasts franchise, and Jude Law was cast as a young Dumbledore in the second film, everyone assumed that the relationship between the two would be explored in the movie.

The original Harry Potter trilogy never addressed Dumbledore’s sexuality, but Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald seemed like the perfect opportunity to do so. However, when director David Yates spoke with EW about the entire situation, he gave an answer that most fans were hoping not to hear.

“Not explicitly,” Yates responded when asked if the movie would be clear abut Dumbledore’s sexuality. “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.”

So, once again, the Harry Potter franchise will dance around Dumbledore’s sexuality, despite the fact that Law’s version of the character will come face-to-face with his former lover Grindelwald, played by Johnny Depp.

As Yates continued, he veered away from the subject and spoke more about what Dumbledore will be like in the upcoming film.

“He’s a maverick and a rebel and he’s an inspiring teacher at Hogwarts,” the director said. “He’s witty and has a bit of edge. He’s not this elder statesman. He’s a really kinetic guy. And opposite Johnny Depp as Grindelwald, they make an incredible pairing.”

For those hoping that Dumbledore will be open about his sexuality at some point in the films, there is still hope. Remember, there are three more Fantastic Beasts sequels planned after Crimes of Grindelwald. Rowling previously teased that this franchise would dive into this part of Dumbledore’s life, so it’s likely that the coming films will find a way to address it.

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald is set to hit theaters on November 16.