Eddie Redmayne Says Jude Law’s Dumbledore is ‘Perfect’

Harry Potter fans have no reason to worry about Jude Law in Dumbledore in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald because according to star Eddie Redmayne he’s the best man for the job. After being hinted at in the first Fantastic Beasts movie, the sequel will introduce a younger Dumbledore. This is all apart of the spinoff movie series’ desire to tell, at least in part, the struggle between Dumbledore and his former friend / possible lover, dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald (Johnny Depp).

While there’s a far bit of controversy surrounding Depp, the casting between Law was also a bit confusing. Law doesn’t have anything nearly as scandalous in his reputation as Depp, but it’s still been unclear if he can bring the gravitas needed to play the future Headmaster of Hogwarts. Law is a talented actor but has typically played more comedic or lighter roles. Evidently, Law is more than ready to take on the young version of one of the most recognizable elderly mentors. In fact, Law’s portrayal of Dumbledore might be the most book accurate interpretation yet.

In Screen Rant’s interview with Fantastic Beasts star Eddie Redmayne, the topic was broached about how Law potrays Dumbledore. The actor who plays Newt Scandmander couldn’t have been glowing about his new co-star.

“I had talked a little bit with Jo [Rowling] about what Newt and Dumbledore’s relationship was in the first film because it was alluded to. And then when they cast Jude, who I’ve known for a long time, it made such sense because there was a kind of debonair quality to him, but also like a playfullness that felt entirely appropriate, but also there’s kind of a weight to his… he’s got a weightiness, Dumbledore… Not physical weightiness [laughs] But when Jude arrived on set, he just looked so perfect. It all made complete sense.”

Redmayne’s description of Jude Law’s Dumbledore should be very encouraging to die-hard fans of Harry Potter. While Dumbledore is widely recognized as a venerable figure, by movie and book fans alike, there’s an element of Dumbeldore that’s been mostly missing from his big-screen portrayals. It’s evident in the books that Dumbledore is a very playful and downright funny character. In the movies, though the seriousness of Dumbledore was emphasized over his sense of humor. This was definitely the case when Michael Gambon took over the role for the deceased Richard Harris.

Now things appears to be different. If Eddie Redmayne can be taken at his word though, Jude Law has apparently found a way to balance the two sides of Dumbledore. While there wasn’t much doubt that Law could be funny, it appears he’s gotten down the look and feel of the powerful wizard. However, it’s probably the sense of humor that Fantastic Beasts needs most from their Dumbledore. After all Dumbledore, will be a supporting character in the movie, not the hero.

There’s a probable chance the Fantastic Beasts series will follow the trajectory of the mainline Harry Potter story. Each subsequent story will get darker and darker as it reaches it’s conclusion. As the subtitle of the sequel suggests, Fantastic Beasts 2 will be delving deeply into the greatest dark wizard to ever live (before Voldemort), Grindelwald. While in-universe, Grindelwald is nowhere near as bad as Voldemort, the sequel will probably get into some very intense material. After all, while Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them was mostly light-hearted, it did end with an abused and manipulated teenager magically exploding. A funnier Dumbledore, who can still play the serious moments, would be perfectly welcome.