Five People Who Could Play Dumbledore in Fantastic Beasts

In less than a week, Harry Potter will be making a spectacular comeback when Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them hits theaters. The anticipated spin-off will follow Newt Scamander, a Magizoologist, after he unwittingly allows a slew of magical creatures escape his clutches while in the U.S. Over the past month, fans have learned more and more about the series – but one revelation has been more received better than the others.

It seems as if Albus Dumbledore will play quite a big role in the franchise. And, unsurprisingly, fans are excited.

Now, the question comes down to which lucky actor will get to play the iconic wizard. In a recent interview with E! Online, author JK Rowling admitted she did have a particular actor in mind for the role, but she wouldn’t say who it is just yet.

“I have, of course, thought about this. I do have a name. I do have someone in mind, but I can’t say it. Because if that person doesn’t get cast, then the person who does get cast will blame me forever for having said it, won’t they?” Rowling said. “So, I’m going to just keep quiet.”

ComicBook.com has our own thoughts about which actors could play the Hogwarts Headmaster. So, we have created a list of five people who we believe would conjure up an amazing portrayal of Dumbledore of the new franchise.

NEXT: Albus Dumbledore To Return In Fantastic Beasts 2 / Why Johnny Depp Could Play Grindelwald In Fantastic Beasts / J.K. Rowling Teases Fantastic Beasts & Harry Potter Connection / Fantastic Beasts Character Posters Revealed / Will Dumbledore Be Openly Gay In Fantastic Beasts?

Honorable Mentions: Hugh Dancy, Tom Hiddleston, Benedict Cumberbatch

First, let’s give a round of applause to our honorable mentions. While we think these actors have the talent to take on Dumbledore and his famous beard, their ages don’t quite align with the timeline Fantastic Beasts is operating under.

Fans will undoubtedly recognize Benedict Cumberbatch and Tom Hiddleston. The two British actors are part of the most recent invasion of UK actors who’ve hit it big in Hollywood. In fact, Cumberbatch recently made his Marvel Cinematic debut in Doctor Strange following Hiddleston’s work as Loki in that universe.

As for Hugh Dancy, the acclaimed actor was most recently seen in the hit drama Hannibal alongside Mads Mikkelsen.

These fan-favorite actors would be excellent candidates if it weren’t for their ages. The three men are between 35-41 years old. Those ages are not far from how old Dumbledore would be in Fantastic Beasts, but it seems like Warner Bros. will select an older actor for the role. Recently, director David Yates confirmed that Johnny Depp had been cast to play Gellert Grindelwald in the movie. As that actor is 53, it would make sense for the folks behind Fantastic Beasts to opt for a co-star closer in age. 

Jared Harris

If fans want to be canonical, they might root for Jared Harris to land the role. The 55 year-old actor was born in London to parents Richard and Elizabeth Harris. Harry Potter fans should find the father’s name to be a familiar one.

Why? Well, Richard Harris originally played Dumbledore in the Harry Potter films before Michael Gambon took the role. The latter inherited the role after Harris passed away, so Jared could make a return to the series in his father’s honor.

Colin Firth

Fans everywhere fell for Colin Firth for his notable work as Mr. Darcy in the BBC’s adaptation of Pride & Prejudice. And, if they are lucky, they may get to see the beloved British actor take his talents to the wizarding world.

The distinguished talent and brusk humor which Firth carries is impossible to ignore. If Warner Bros. is looking for someone who can capture Dumbledore’s whimsical gravitas, it is Firth.

Jude Law

While Jude Law is on the younger side, fans would have little trouble imagining him as a younger Dumbledore. The English actor is renowned for his work on films like Hugo and Sherlock Holmes. And, if you think about it, Law does seem like the kind of guy who could pull of a wizard’s cloak.

Damian Lewis

At first glance, the name Damian Lewis may not ring a bell. The British actor has primarily kept his career centered on television pursuits, but fans think it’s about time Lewis broadened his horizons. And what better place is there to do just that than Fantastic Beasts?

Lewis is best-known for his work on Showtime’s Homeland and Billions. Both of these series helped cement the actor’s reputation as a powerful leading man, so his resume might help him to wand-to-wand against Depp’s dark role.

Ewan McGregor

Obviously, Ewan McGregor is no stranger to franchises. The popular actors got his big break in Trainspotting before Lucasfilm cast him as Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Star Wars prequels. Since then, McGregor has tested his acting abilities in a series of indie films, so he’s now ripe to take on a series as complex as Fantastic Beasts.