At a press event for Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them on Thursday, Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling hinted that young Albus Dumbledore could be portrayed as openly gay in future installments of the five-part movie series.
Variety reports Rowling welcomed questions about Dumbledore’s sexuality in the upcoming films, but declined to go into much detail. “I would like to say because this obviously is a five-part story, there’s lot to unpack in that relationship,” she said, presumably referring to the love-hate bond between Dumbledore and Gellert Grindelwald, who will be portrayed by Johnny Depp.
Rowling added, “You will see Dumbledore as a younger man and quite a troubled man. We’ll see him at that formative period of his life. As far as his sexuality is concerned,” she paused, “watch this space.”
Although the character’s sexual orientation is never directly revealed in the Harry Potter films or books, Rowling stated “I always thought of Dumbledore as gay… Dumbledore fell in love with Grindelwald, and that that added to his horror when Grindelwald showed himself to be what he was” back in 2007.
The author’s comments come after Fantastic Beasts Director David Yates confirmed “Dumbledore comes back” in the second film of the series. Yates did not reveal which actor would play the legendary wizard, though did confirm “it’s not going to be Michael Gambon,” who stepped into the role of the Hogwarts headmaster after Richard Harris passed away in 2002. Harris’ son, Mad Men actor Jared Harris, is rumored to be a serious contender for the part of young Dumbledore.
During the press conference on Thursday, Rowling also took the opportunity to reassure Potter fans concerned about the absence of their favorite bolt-browed hero and the enchanting environment of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. “Well, it’s true that Harry is not in the movie, because he’s not born yet,” Rowling said. “But this is very much of the world. And there are characters you will learn more about through Fantastic Beasts. I’m being so careful. This is Potter.”
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them hits theaters worldwide Nov. 18.
