THE SECOND INSTALLMENT of ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’ is set to be released in November this year and has already amassed its fair share of criticism.
Fans weren’t happy that Johnny Depp who plays Dumbledore’s nemesis Grindelwald would not be recast amid the domestic violence allegations that his ex wife Amber Heard made against him in 2016. In fact Rowling defend Depp saying it was ‘the right thing’ for the sequel.
Fans were also disappointed when director David Yates told Entertainment Weekly that Dumbledore’s sexuality wouldn’t be explored much in the new movie. Author JK Rowling revealed that Dumbledore was gay back in 2007 and told fans that he was in love with Grindelwald, the main villain in the Fantastic Beasts series. J.K Rowling had suggested this relationship would be explored eventually but did not indicate when.
Actor Ian McKellan has had his say on the matter saying it’s a pity that Dumbledore’s sexuality wouldn’t be explored in the upcoming adventure. Speaking to Time Out about his upcoming documentary ‘McKellan: Playing the Part’ and said that Hollywood was the wrong place to look for social commentary.
They only recently discovered that there were black people in the world. Hollywood has mistreated women in every possible way throughout its history. Gay men don’t exist. “Gods and Monsters” [1998], I think, was the beginning of Hollywood admitting that there were gay people knocking around, even though half of Hollywood is gay.’
McKellan also revealed that his sexuality has cost him a part in ‘Betrayal’ a movie in 1983 directed by Harold Pinter. It was producer Sam Spiegel who took issue with McKellan’s sexuality.
He said, “Will you be taking the family?” And I said, “I don’t have a family, I’m gay.” I think it was the first time I came out to anyone. Well, I was out of that office in two minutes. It took Pinter 25 years to apologise for not sticking up for me.
McKellan is often mistaken for Michael Gambon who plays Dumbledore for 6 out of the 8 movies after Richard Harris died just after Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets finished filming. McKellan was initially asked to replace Harris but Gambon ended up taking the role instead.
Before Richard Harris died he took time out to tell the world that he thought certain actors were rubbish – and my name was on this rather short list. With Kenneth Branagh’s. I was in good company.’
