Who Plays Grindelwald In Harry Potter

Interesting Facts And Notes

Pre-release facts:

The story picks up shortly after the last film. Grindelwald escapes from MACUSA custody and travels to Europe, apparently through a connection with the Circus Arcanus.;Graves in the first film was seen with a poster for the Circus which is scheduled to close in New York on December 13 and go on to Europe.

The Circus Arcanus is owned by a man named Skender. One of the human oddities on display in the circus is the “Enchanting Snake Woman,” who might possibly be the unnamed character played by Claudia Kim. She is listed as Maledictus and is said to have a blood curse which forces her over time to transform into a snake. Fans theorize that she might be Nagini in younger, human form.

Credence survived the first film and appears in the second.

Newt Scamander’s old flame, Leta Lestrange, is his brother’s fiancee. His brother is head of the Auror Department at the Ministry of Magic. The trailer for the film reveals that Leta is Credence’s half sister.

Albus Dumbledore calls on Newt to help recapture Grindelwald. Tina, Queenie, and Jacob also become involved as the story moves to London and Paris.

Several of the new characters in this film have names of known Death Eaters: Travers and Rosier.

Other new characters will portray Dumbledore and Grindelwald as teenagers.

The Muggle Prime Minister

The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, referred to as the Muggle Prime Minister by wizards, receives a visit from Cornelius Fudge and Rufus Scrimgeour in the opening chapter of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Using a series of flashbacks, Rowling describes how the Prime Minister is aware of the existence of the wizarding world, through several meetings with Fudge that include his first night as Prime Minister, the night in which Sirius Black escaped from Azkaban, the notification of the incident in the Quidditch World Cup and the announcement of the importation of dragons and a sphinx for the Triwizard Tournament, and finally the Azkaban mass break-out from the fifth book. Rowling intended to include the Prime Minister scene in earlier books, but she thought that it could not properly fit until the sixth book.

In the first chapter of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, the Prime Minister recalls his day, during which one of his political opponents had been criticising him and his government for several catastrophes that have recently happened in Britain. Readers discover a little later during the discussion with Fudge, that these catastrophes are, in fact, the doings of Voldemort and his followers. He also discovers that he is protected by an Auror who now works in his office, Kingsley Shacklebolt.

Godrics Hollow The Hallows And The Greater Good

At a young age, Grindelwald was already searching for the Deathly Hallows: the Elder Wand, the Resurrection Stone, and the Cloak of Invisibility. Heres a refresher, via the wizarding fairy tale, The Tale of the Three Brothers.

It was his investigation into Ignotus Peverell, the youngest Peverell brother who was considered the first person to own the Cloak of Invisibility. Ignotus was buried in Godrics Hollow, so thats where Grindelwald headed as he traveled abroad for some months. With an introduction from Bathilda Bagshot, Grindelwald met a 17-year-old Dumbledore fresh out of Hogwarts. Dumbledore was widely regarded as one of the finest students Hogwarts had ever seen, but the death of his mother in 1899 forced himnot without some frustration and bitternessto come home and care for his younger siblings, Aberforth and Ariana, instead of pursuing his talents and ambitions.

In Grindelwald the lonely Dumbledore found an equal, and they bonded over their intellect and fervor for the Deathly Hallows. They both yearned for the Elder Wand and the Resurrection Stone. Grindelwald wanted to raise an army of Inferi while Dumbledore wanted to see his parents again. Despite being in the same town as Ignotus Peverells grave, they didnt give too much thought to the Cloak of Invisibility, which was a centuries-old family heirloom of the Potters, except perhaps to hide Dumbledores younger sister Ariana, who was magically unstable after being attacked by Muggles as a child.

Don’t Miss: How Long Is Harry Potter On Hbo Max

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald is a 2018 fantasy film directed by David Yates and written by J. K. Rowling. A joint American and British production, it is the sequel to Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them . It is the second instalment in the Fantastic Beasts film series and the tenth overall in the Wizarding World franchise, which began with the Harry Potter film series. It features an ensemble cast including Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, Ezra Miller, Zoë Kravitz, , Claudia Kim, William Nadylam, Kevin Guthrie, Jude Law and Johnny Depp. Set in 1927, it follows Newt Scamander and Albus Dumbledore as they attempt to take down the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald while facing new threats in a more divided wizarding world.

A second Fantastic Beasts film was announced in October 2014, and in July 2016 Rowling confirmed she had completed the script. Depp was cast in November 2016, causing some controversy due to domestic violence allegations recently made against him. Law signed on in April 2017. Principal photography began in July 2017 at Warner Bros. Studios, Leavesden, in England. Filming also took place in London, Switzerland, and Paris, and wrapped in December 2017.

Johnny Depp Was Involved In Makeup Design

Johnny Depp has been no stranger to eccentric roles throughout his career. In fact, he has built his movie career around playing characters who do not have conventional appearances. From Edward Scissorhands to Captain Jack Sparrow and Willy Wonka, each of Depp’s characters have appeared very different on screen.

One of the most important things to Depp when joining the Fantastic Beasts film was that he was able to give input on Grindelwald’s look. Depp was allowed plenty of say in crafting his look, and jumped in with both feet.;Depp’s vision on Grindelwald’s appearance was that;he has both darkness and light to him, which was the inspiration for his;different colored eyes: Hes twins in one body. So a gamy eye is more like the other side of him a brain for each eye, and hes somewhere in the middle.

Don’t Miss: How To Put Clasp On Harry Potter Robe

He Looks Much Older Than His Age

Grindelwald and Dumbledore’s lives run parallel to one another because;of the time they spent in;Godric’s Hollow together. The boys grew very close together due to how similar they are in age and intelligence. However, by the time 1926 rolls around during the Crimes of Grindelwald, their appearances are much different.

Despite only being in his early 40s during this time period, Grindelwald certainly looks much older. His white-haired appearance makes him look in his mid-fifties. While this appears to be an artistic choice, he is also being played by the 55-year-old Johnny Depp. Regardless of whether his appearance matches his age, it does not change how menacing Grindelwald looks.

This Article Contains Spoilers For Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald Read At Your Own Risk

The 1920s setting of the Fantastic Beasts franchise is a great opportunity for younger versions of beloved Harry Potter characters to appear in their own stories. Most of them, like Jude Law as Albus Dumbledore, are only shown portrayed by new actors except one.

The exception is Jamie Campbell Bower, who crosses over from his cameo role as a young Gellert Grindelwald in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1. Grindelwald only appeared as a moving photograph and as a menacing figure in a window in Deathly Hallows, but Fantastic Beasts brings him back in a flashback reflection in the Mirror or Erised.

When young Dumbledore looks in the mirror, which fans recall shows the viewer his or her heart’s desire, he sees a younger version of himself forming a blood pact with young Grindelwad; therein lies Campbell Bower, acting as a pre-evil Grindelwald whose closeness with Dumbledore is apparent.

It’s possible that Campbell Bower will return in later installations of Fantastic Beasts to better outline the relationship between Dumbledore and Grindelwald, which according to canon had a romantic element.

Until then, he’s the only actor who can claim to be a part of both Wizarding World franchises. Nice flex.

Related Video:

Recommended Reading: Harry Potter And The Cursed Child Movie 2022

Pale Skin Similar To Voldemort’s

It seems that pale skin is a pre-requisite to be a villain in the Harry Potter universe. There are numerous similarities between Grindelwald and He Who Must Not Be Named. Their ideals and outlook on muggles are identical, and to say that they have evil tendencies would;be an understatement. However, the most staggering similarities are their physical characteristics, most notably their pale skin.

While Voldemort’s appearance can be attributed to the creation of horcruxes, Grindelwald is;seems to just be a pale individual. Regardless of the reasoning, their fairness only adds to their mystique. Their pale skin gives them a very evil look, akin to Count Dracula. It is no coincidence that two of the most evil wizards in magic history share so many things in common. However despite their similarities, they only interact once .

Grindelwald Played A Major Part In The Harry Potter Series

In the “Harry Potter” series, which takes place decades after “Fantastic Beasts,” Grindelwald plays a big;role and helped shape the course of world events in the 20th century. He was Albus Dumbledore’s closest friend before turning into a Hitler-like figure who threw the magical world into turmoil in an attempt to dominate non-magical folk.

Grindelwald’s first mention in the “Harry Potter” series is inconspicuous. He’s simply a name dropped on Albus Dumbledore’s chocolate frog card in “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone”: “Dumbledore is particularly famous for his defeat of the Dark wizard Grindelwald in 1945.”

It’s not until several books later in;”Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” that he plays a bigger role. As Voldemort searches for The Elder Wand, which he believes will make him invincible, he traces its path to Grindelwald. Voldemort finds Grindelwald in Nurmengard, a prison Grindelwald;built during his rise to power and was;locked in after his fall. But he finds out that Grindelwald doesn’t have the wand anymore, and kills him.

Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger learn about Grindelwald by accident.

Later, Harry and the crew find out Grindelwald’s sign is that of the Deathly Hallows a trio of objects consisting of the Elder Wand, the Resurrection Stone, and the Cloak of Invisibility. If a;wizard or witch were to;possess;all three Hallows, they were said to be the Master of Death.;

Recommended Reading: Who Gives Harry Potter The Nimbus 2000

Severe Malnutrition While Imprisoned At Nurmengard

While the Fantastic Beasts franchise is currently focusing on the rise of Grindelwald, Harry Potter fans already know about his fall. Upon Grindelwald’s eventual capture, he is imprisoned in a manner befitting his infamy. However, his crimes warranted a different punishment than other criminals. Standard wizarding criminals are imprisoned in Azkaban, but Grindelwald was given a sentence of solitary confinement in a prison of his own.

Grindelwald was imprisoned in Nurmengard, which ironically was a structure he used for his own victims. While here, he was kept under strict watch and spent the days since his capture locked away in a small cell. When Voldemort visits him to obtain information, Grindelwald is a shell of his former self. His once bright skin is weathered, and he looks malnourished and emaciated. Perhaps he finally got what he deserved.

Mads Mikkelsen To Replace Johnny Depp As Gellert Grindelwald In Fantastic Beasts 3

Mikkelsen has made his name playing villains such as Le Chiffre in Casino Royale and Kaecilius in Doctor Strange.

Thursday 26 November 2020 11:43, UK

Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen is to replace Johnny Depp as the evil wizard Gellert Grindelwald in the third Fantastic Beasts film, Warner Bros has announced.

Depp was forced to quit the role after losing his libel trial against The Sun earlier this month.

It comes after a judge refused him permission to appeal against the ruling, which found claims he assaulted ex-wife Amber Heardto be “substantially true”.

Mikkelsen is known for his role as serial killer Hannibal Lecter in US television series Hannibal.

The 55-year-old has made his name playing villains, such as Le Chiffre in Bond movie Casino Royale and Kaecilius in Marvel film Doctor Strange.

He has also starred in Danish dramas such as The Hunt and A Royal Affair.

Grindelwald was played by Depp in the first and second films in the series and he had been due to reprise the role in the third Harry Potter spin-off.

Recommended Reading: Harry Potter Cursed Child Movie Release Date

Dumbledore Defeated Grindelwald In A Legendary Duel

Grindelwald stole one of the;Hallows, the;Elder Wand, from the Eastern European wandmaker Mykew Gregorovitch.

From here, he dabbled more in the dark arts and rose to power. The details of his rise aren’t clear, but we do know that he killed a lot of people and established a prison,;Nurmengard, for his enemies. He thought it was impregnable.

As Grindelwald became more infamous, Dumbledore faced him down. In 1945, in a duel for the ages, Dumbledore defeated him, leaving Grindelwald imprisoned in Nurmengard.

“In a list of Most Dangerous Dark Wizards of All Time, he would miss out on the top spot only because You-Know-Who arrived, a generation later, to steal his crown,” Rita Skeeter wrote. Voldemort might also be the more powerful wizard. He’s the only known person who ever broke into Nurmengard.

Skilled In Wandless And Non

Not enough can be said about how powerful Grindelwald’s sorcery is. While many have been quick to call Albus Dumbledore the greatest wizard known to man, Grindelwald should be considered in that conversation. Many wizards have been seen conducting spells without speaking a word. In fact, many of the Harry Potter duels are fought without speaking a spell. While Hogwarts does teach non-verbal spells, it is a very advanced technique that not everyone can master. However, Grindelwald is seen able to complete this task with ease, even when impersonating as Percival Graves.

Furthermore, Grindelwald is also seen completing an even greater feat – casting a spell without a wand. Even some of the most advanced wizards in the Harry Potter universe are not seen as able to do this.

Don’t Miss: Why Does Voldemort Look Like That

Grindelwald Is Played By Johnny Depp Which A Lot Of Fans Are Unhappy About

David Yates, who’s directing the “Fantastic Beasts” movies and who directed the final four “Harry Potter” ones, told Jason Guerrasio at Business Insider that;Depp is one of the only actors who can play Grindelwald.

“Grindelwald is a major character and it’s pretty big shoes to fill,” Heyman said. “So you want someone who is charismatic, who is brave as an actor, who can stand up and is iconic. Johnny is one of the few actors who has created several iconic characters and he’s brave, he’s a great artist, he’s a great actor. So we went to Johnny and he said yes.”

Fans aren’t happy about it. As the allegations against Harvey Weinstein exploded into public view last fall and sparked the #MeToo movement, Depp came under renewed criticism;for allegedly assaulting his ex-wife, Amber Heard. The charges were dropped amid their divorce settlement.

“Based on our understanding of the circumstances, 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,”;Rowling said in a statement in December.

But fans are still split on the issue, and even Daniel Radcliffe was sympathetic with them.

“It’s a very hard thing for me,” Radcliffe said in January. “I can see why people are frustrated.”

Visit;INSIDER’s homepage;for more.

Dumbledore And Grindelwalds Impending Duel

Notably, at the end of Crimes of Grindelwald, Newt and Dumbledore discuss how Dumbledore and Grindelwald swore not to fight one another.

Instead of making an Unbreakable Vow, the two made a Blood Oatha new concept for Harry Potter fans. Considering that Dumbledore and Grindelwald do eventually fight, a Blood Oath is presumably breakable, unlike an Unbreakable Vow.

The Crimes of Grindelwald

Recommended Reading: Lord Voldemort Actor

Grindelwald Used To Be Best Friends With Dumbledore

Grindelwald was expelled from Durmstrang when he was 16 for “twisted experiments,” according to the tabloid wizard;journalist Rita Skeeter.;After his expulsion in the late 19th century, he went to live with his great-aunt, the wizarding historian Bathilda Bagshot, in Godric’s Hollow in England.

Bagshot happened to be neighbors with the Dumbledore family. Albus Dumbledore and Gellert Grindelwald; both ambitious, talented, and idealistic teenage;wizards quickly became friends.

The two;also expressed interest in the Hallows, but both teens had different reasons for seeking them out:;Grindelwald wanted power, while Dumbledore thought the Ressurection Stone might bring back his dead parents.

When Rowling announced that Dumbledore was gay, after all seven “Harry Potter” books were published, she also said that Dumbledore loved him, but Grindelwald didn’t necessarily love Dumbledore back.

“Dumbledore fell in love with Grindelwald, and that that added to his horror when Grindelwald showed himself to be what he was,” she said. “To an extent, do we say it excused Dumbledore a little more because falling in love can blind us to an extent?”