Is Dumbledore in ‘Fantastic Beasts’? J.K. Rowling drops hints

When we first met Albus Dumbledore in “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” we were introduced to a wise, powerful, and ancient wizard. But he wasn’t always so; like all mortals, he was once young and foolish. And if the hints J.K. Rowling and company have been dropping are any indication, we might be seeing this younger version of the legend in the “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” films.

At a London event, series author J.K. Rowling was discussing the upcoming “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” movie with fans. It was during this talk that she stated: “We do talk about Dumbledore and Grindelwald.”

Within story canon, Dumbledore and Grindelwald were best friends, until the latter turned to evil. Dumbledore also had romantic feelings for Grindelwald, although Rowling has not stated whether or not these affections were ever reciprocated.

At the same event, Director David Yates also said: “We can’t tell you too because we’d have to kill you all, but we do mention Dumbledore and he features in a wonderful scene between Colin [Farrell] and Eddie [Redmayne].”

He added: “Grindelwald does feature in the background and is going to become a much more prominent feature moving forward.”

As “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” is set 70 years before the events of the “Harry Potter” books, it only makes sense for Rowling and company to treat us to a younger version of one of the most popular and enduring characters in the mythos.

Previously, J.K. Rowling stated that “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” has been expanded into a five-movie franchise.

“I can say one thing, we were doing some script sessions the other day and we always knew it was going to be one movie,” she said. “We always knew that from the start. We said a trilogy as a placeholder because we knew there would be more than one movie. Now I think we can say, I’ve done the plotting properly so we’re pretty sure it’s going to be five movies.”

The story of “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” focuses on the North American side of the Wizarding World.

Within the canon of the “Harry Potter” books, “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” is a textbook the students at Hogwarts are required to read. The book, which is first mentioned in “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone,” describes numerous enchanted creatures found in the “Harry Potter” universe. It was written by its in-universe author, Newt Scamander.

In 2001, author J.K. Rowling released a book entitled “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.” It is purported to be the same textbook Harry and his classmates used in the novels.

The upcoming movie is inspired by J.K. Rowling’s book of the same name, and stars Eddie Redmayne as the textbook’s fictitious author, Newt Scamander. Set in 1926, it follows Scamander’s adventures in New York.

“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” will show in cinemas this November 18, 2016. — BM, GMA News