Jude Law’s casting as young Albus Dumbledore in the sequel to “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” sparked a recent social media frenzy — and left a big question over the depiction of the young wizard’s sexuality.
“Fantastic Beasts” is a spinoff of the Harry Potter universe created by J. K. Rowling, who herself said she always thought of Potter mentor Dumbleodore “as gay” — leaving many fans wondering if this would manifest itself in Law’s upcoming performance.
“I don’t know, I read that too — first of all, you have to realize I haven’t read any script yet,” Law said Friday during a conversation for TheWrap’s Emmy magazine. “But that’s another layer to what creates this great wizard we’ve come to know and love.”
Law is currently starring in a West End production of Ivo van Hove’s “Obsession,” and despite both parties being British superstars, Law and Rowling have yet to meet.
“In truth, it’s very early days. I found out about it when I was in the middle of the final prep for this play I’m doing — there was a great celebration at my house. Once this is done, I’ve got to put my head down and think about it. I hope to start by meeting J.K. Rowling,” Law said.
“I’m very curious to hear about Albus as a young man, I’m intrigued to meet her and to lift the stone on him,” he concluded.
The first “Fantastic Beasts” earned nearly $815 million at the global box office, and starred Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston and Colin Farrell. Warner Bros. has dated the sequel for release on Nov. 16, 2018.
The next installment, also written by Rowling, will also star Waterston, Redmayne, Ezra Miller, Zoe Kravitz and Johnny Depp.
Law is an Emmy contender for his leading turn in the enigmatic, highly-stylized Paolo Sorrentino drama “The Young Pope.” The limited series production was a major international collaboration between HBO, France’s Canal+ and the UK/Ireland network Sky Atlantic.
Check back for more on Law’s “Young Pope” performance in TheWrap magazine.