"Harry Potter" author J.K. Rowling has confirmed that the "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" sequel will include Albus Dumbledore as a youth. The Hogwarts headmaster's mysterious past will be highly featured, possibly exposing deep and scandalous secrets.
Speculations of Dumbledore's sexuality were raised in the past, and Rowling herself confirmed that she "always thought of Dumbledore as being gay." The author and LGBTQ advocate said this back in 2007 at the height of her "Harry Potter" series.
Rowling also revealed that there is more to Dumbledore's relationship with Gellert Grindelwald, his best friend who later on became a dark wizard and his fiercest nemesis. "Pirates of the Carribean" actor Johnny Depp has already been confirmed to portray Grindelwald in the coming sequels, as previously reported.
"Dumbledore fell in love with Grindelwald, and that added to his horror when Grindelwald showed himself to be what he was," Rowling said in her 2007 Carnegie Hall interview.
Could "Harry Potter" fans see a gay young Dumbledore depiction in the "Fantastic Beasts" franchise? While Rowling did not directly deny nor confirm this, the author said she is open to the idea. What is definite, according to Rowling, is that fans will see the young Dumbledore as a "troubled man," Variety reported.
The young Dumbledore will be appearing in the second installment of the "Fantastic Beasts" series, which is set to have five installments. Aside from Dumbledore, Rowling also promised that fans will get to know more about other characters from the "Harry Potter" universe in the prequel series.
"Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" focuses on the wizarding world in America during the 1920s, many years before the generation of Harry, Ron and Hermione. It follows the story of Newt Scamander, played by actor Eddie Redmayne, who travels the world to study magical creatures.
Rowling also serves as the screenwriter for the first installment of "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them," which will hit theaters on Nov. 18 under Warner Bros.
