Young Dumbledore, Grindelwald star in new Fantastic Beasts sequel photos

Jude Law is no longer the uncharacteristically cool young pope, but instead a dapper young Albus Dumbledore, as seen in two new photos from Warner Bros.’ upcoming sequel, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.

Law can be seen as Dumbledore in the photo below, sitting in what appears to be an office, as seen by the stack of books and quill on the desk behind him. Warner Bros. did not provide any information on who the man lurking over his shoulder is. Dumbledore has always been rather laid back, even in the face of certain death, but there’s a new essence of cool surrounding his younger self.

Jaap Buitendijk/Warner Bros. Pictures

Just for added effect, here’s a behind-the-scenes photo of a young Albus Dumbledore talking to a young Newt Scamander.

Jaap Buitendijk/Warner Bros.

Another interesting photo released today gives us a better look at Johnny Depp’s controversial Grindelwald. Depp was cast as Grindelwald in 2016, taking over for Colin Farrell, who technically played the role in 2015’s Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, although he hid under the guise of a man named Graves. Depp’s casting was met with scorn from fans, who argued that after allegations arose of Depp’s alleged domestic abuse of ex-wife Amber Heard, he shouldn’t be involved in the film.

Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling later published a blog post announcing her support of Depp in the role, writing that “the filmmakers and I are not only comfortable sticking with our original casting, but genuinely happy to have Johnny playing a major character in the movies.”

Depp’s version of the character is much different than Farrell’s, and can be seen in the photo below standing beside actress Poppy Corby-Tuech, who will play Vinda Rosier, one of Grindelwald’s most trusted followers.

Jaap Buitendijk

The full synopsis for The Crimes of Grindelwald can be read below:

At the end of the first film, the powerful Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald (Johnny Depp) was captured by MACUSA (Magical Congress of the United States of America), with the help of Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne). But, making good on his threat, Grindelwald escaped custody and has set about gathering followers, most unsuspecting of his true agenda: to raise pure-blood wizards up to rule over all non-magical beings.

In an effort to thwart Grindelwald’s plans, Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) enlists his former student Newt Scamander, who agrees to help, unaware of the dangers that lie ahead. Lines are drawn as love and loyalty are tested, even among the truest friends and family, in an increasingly divided wizarding world.

Fantastic Beasts and the Crimes of Grindelwald will be released in November 2018.