Dumbledore has been cast for the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them sequel, and Jude Law has been chosen.
The 44-year-old actor takes the mantel from Michael Gambon, who portrayed the character for the last six Harry Potter movies. Gambon replaced Richard Harris, who passed away after completing the first two films.
Christian Bale, Benedict Cumberbatch, Mark Strong, Harris’ son Jared Harris and “every major British actor in the biz” was considered for the role, according to Variety. Leave it to the Young Pope to come out on top.
“Jude Law is a phenomenally talented actor whose work I have long admired, and I’m looking forward to finally having the opportunity to work with him,” director David Yates said. “I know he will brilliantly capture all the unexpected facets of Albus Dumbledore as J.K. Rowling reveals this very different time in his life.”
Law is best known for his roles in The Talented Mr. Ripley and Sherlock Holmes. He has recently had roles in HBO’s The Young Pope, the Melissa McCarthy comedy Spy and The Grand Budapest Hotel. He’ll next be seen in Guy Ritchie’s King Arthur: Legend of the Sword starring Charlie Hunnam on May 12.
Law joins a returning Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterson, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, Ezra Miller and Johnny Depp in the sequel set for release on November 16, 2018. Yates and J.K. Rowling return as director and screenwriter respectively.
