The sequel to Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them will introduce Johnny Depp as Grindelwald. Let’s save young Dumbledore while we can.
Yesterday we learned that Johnny Depp will likely play Gellert Grindelwald in the second Fantastic Beasts movie, and since then, Hypable’s Twitter feed has been flooded with angry and upset fans who question why J.K. Rowling’s new film series has chosen such a mainstream, for not to mention controversial, actor for this pivotal role.
And we can’t deny that this decision has baffled us, too. Even if we were to disregard the fact that he has been accused of domestic abuse — which we absolutely should not — Johnny Depp is undeniably a character actor whose brand is so overpowering, it’ll be hard to think of Grindelwald as an actual person as opposed to just another ‘Johnny Depp character.’
Sources have confirmed to Hypable that he will indeed play Grindelwald in the sequel, so let’s presume that the role of Dumbledore is still up for grabs — and eliminate some names from the list of A-lister hopefuls who are undoubtedly sitting by the phone waiting for Warner Bros.’ call.
1. Benedict Cumberbatch
Ironically, Cumberbatch could probably pull off a young Dumbledore fairly well based on his Sherlock character acting and physical appearance, but we wouldn’t be getting a Young Dumbledore with this casting — we’d be getting Benedict Cumberbatch in yet another of his many mainstream roles.
2. Leonardo DiCaprio
He’s American, you say? So what?! Depp is American. Everyone’s American! At least Leo could use the exposure to save the world and stuff.
3. Daniel Craig
Perhaps this is why he hasn’t said yes to return to James Bond yet: He’s waiting for Warner Bros. to return his calls! And to be fair, Daniel Craig would give a mean reading of “Did you put your name in the Goblet of Fire.” But that does not a great Dumbledore make.
4. Mel Gibson
Hey, since they’ve already cast Johnny Depp, let’s just go the distance. Think Woody Allen would be up for directing?
5. David Beckham
The cameo in Guy Ritchie’s King Arthur movie was only the beginning of David Beckham’s acting career, and the Wizarding World is next!
6. Tom Cruise
“You shouldn’t have come here tonight, Tom.” ‘Nuff said.
7. Scarlett Johansson
(But Priyanka Chopra would be okay.)
8. Hugh Jackman
I’d support this only if the sequel to Fantastic Beasts was a musical and they replaced Johnny Depp with Russell Crowe.
9. Liam Neeson
…Actually, if they’re gonna cast an over-hyped mainstream Hollywood actor anyway, they could do worse than Liam Neeson. But still, talk about stunt casting.
10. Tom Hanks
Hey, he’s America’s dad, why can’t he be Britain’s, too?
11. Matthew McConaughey
Yes! Finally a Dumbledore with a Texan accent. ‘Murica!
12. Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson
You know what? At least we’d get some great Instagram posts out of the deal.
13. Robert Pattinson
Do it, Warner Bros., I double-dare you.
14. Daniel Radcliffe
Come on, you know they would get him for this if they could. And Radcliffe loves Dumbledore, soooo… at this point, I wouldn’t even be surprised.
Who should actually play Dumbledore in ‘Fantastic Beasts’?
If Warner Bros. is gonna match the star power of Johnny Depp for Dumbledore — which sadly doesn’t seem unlikely, though we’re obviously hoping for a non-franchise name to make the role his own — there are still several viable options that wouldn’t be horrible.
For one, they’ve actually got to be British. James McAvoy, Ewan McGregor, Matt Smith and Martin Freeman could all pull off a 50-something-year-old Dumbledore, even if they’re almost as over-exposed as the actors mentioned above.
But really, after the Johnny Depp news, we’re left waiting with something akin to terrified trepidation to find out who’ll take over the mantle from the great Richard Harris and Michael Gambon and bring the younger version of one of the most beloved Harry Potter characters to life in the Fantastic Beasts franchise.