Warner Bros. have posted an open casting call for the second Fantastic Beasts film via Pottermore. The movie is looking for young actors to play five new roles, including teenage incarnations of familiar names and one completely unknown character.
Full information can be found at Pottermore, but the details of the roles are as follows:
An open casting call has gone out for three actors between the ages of 13 and 16 to play young versions of Newt, Leta, and another character called Sebastian. They are also looking for actors between 16 and 18 to portray both Gellert Grindelwald and Albus Dumbledore as teenagers. So, if you know any young acting hopefuls who know their Elder Wand-lore, or have a penchant for Sherbet Lemons, now is the time to let them know.
The filmmakers responsible for bringing J.K. Rowling’s Magical World to life have made good use of open castings before. In preparation for the 5th instalment of the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, the United Kingdom was scoured from top to bottom in the hunt for the perfect Luna Lovegood. Eventually, Evanna Lynch would be cast in the role which has become somewhat iconic; memorable for the character’s defiant bohemian individuality.
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This is the first we’ve heard from the franchise since the news of Jude Law’s casting as a young Dumbledore (in his capacity as Hogwarts Transfiguration teacher, so not yet Headmaster). Not only will this open casting ignite a dreamy excitement in the hearts of countless young British actors, but it also gives clues as to what can be expected from the second film.
J.K. Rowling announced she had finished writing the script at the end of May, but details have been scarce. We know that the franchise will span two decades, starting in 1926 with Fantastic Beasts and coming to a close with the fifth instalment in 1945. With Jude Law entering the fray as Albus Dumbledore, who was only talked about in Fantastic Beasts, it is expected that the franchise will shed light on the historic events referenced in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. That is, the relationship between Dumbledore and Grindelwald, leading to the latter’s downfall around the year 1945.
As for this open casting call, there are a few things we can guess at. First of all, we can expect Eddie Redmayne’s awkward Buster Keaton-esque Newt Scamander to feature heavily despite speculation that his role would shrink in significance as the franchise moves forward. Well, at least heavily enough to warrant flashbacks to his school days.
Another role awaiting casting is that of Leta Lestrange, a character who only featured as a photograph and subject of conversation in Fantastic Beasts. Small though her role may have been, it was clear that there was a deep and perhaps uncomfortable story to explore surrounding Leta and her relationship with Newt. We know that Newt was expelled from Hogwarts school and that Leta may have been involved, so the age of the roles being cast here indicate that Fantastic Beasts 2 may give us some of the juicy details.
J.K.Rowling is very good at running multiple character arcs alongside each other without muddying the waters. All the signs are pointing towards a two-pronged (minimum) approach to the sequel, focusing both on Newt and Dumbledore, two of the most intelligent, but at the same time, unconventional characters she has every created.
Fantastic Beasts 2 is expected to begin shooting this summer and is slated for release on 16th November 2018. The returning cast includes Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Alison Sudol, Dan Fogler, Zoe Kravitz and Ezra Miller. Jude Law joins as Albus Dumbledore and Callum Turner is onboard to play Theseus Scamander, Newt’s “war-hero” brother. The film is directed by David Yates who has been at the helm of every movie in the Harry Potter world since Harry Potter 5.
What do you think these roles mean for the second Fantastic Beasts movie? Let us know your theories, hopes and dreams in the comments!
