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7 Things To Remember Before Watching 'Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets Of Dumbledore'

Grab your wand and put on your cloak, it's time to return to Hogwarts and tame some fantastic beasts.

Cover image via Wizarding World

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Slated to drop next Wednesday, 13 April, loyal Harry Potter fans are eagerly awaiting the second sequel of the Fantastic Beasts series

Expecto patronum! 

After four long years since the impeccable success of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018), the sequel to the original movie, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016), comes the third movie in the Fantastic Beasts franchise; Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (2022).

With so much hype built around yet another Hogwarts movie franchise, some may have forgotten a few key features of the past two films. 

Before you get your popcorn ready, here are a few things to refresh your memory before watching The Secrets of Dumbledore (2022).

[SPOILER ALERT]: Aspects of the first two Fantastic Beasts movies will be discussed below, so read at your own risk

Image via Collider

1. We seemingly bid farewell to Leta Lestrange

Image via Digital Spy

At the end of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018), we saw Leta Lestrange sacrifice herself so other wizards, and the Scamander brothers, could escape Grindelwald's fiery spell.

Many fans are quick to question whether this renowned character by Zoë Kravitz is truly dead and gone for good. With certain elements from the Harry Potter series, such as the resurrection stone, existing in this timeline, some are hoping she makes an appearance if not a cameo in Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (2022).

With Zoë's absence being recorded on the set of the film, loyal fans can rest easy knowing that one of Leta's final acts was destroying the hookah skull Grindelwald used to convince wizards to partake in his war.

2. Credence and Queenie joined Grindelwald in his pursuit to "cleanse" the wizarding world

Image via Wizarding World

Grindelwald's glimpse into the future at the end of Fantastics Beasts: The Crime of Grindelwald (2018), seemed to push Credence and Queenie over the edge, and into his army.

After showing a vision of violence that culminated to depictions of World War II being imminent, Grindelwald was able to convince many magical creatures that muggles (or more commonly known in American wizardry, "no-majes") needed to be kept in line. 

Breaking the law earlier in the movie, Queenie hypnotised Jacob against his will to keep them together. Newt's intervention eventually broke the spell, and broke them up momentarily.

She was later convinced by Grindelwald that joining his army would ensure she could marry whoever she wanted. Little does she know, Grindelwald's knowledge of Queenie's clairvoyant powers is the only reason he sought her out. 

Credence on the other hand, was persuaded by the dark side of magic after his personal struggle with morality. With two very strong wizards by his side, there isn't plenty of clarity as to whether Grindelwald will be defeated so soon.

3. Credence is Aurelius Dumbledore

Image via MovieDash

Credence's family history has been complicated since Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016). It was revealed in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018) that Leda saved his life by switching the room he belonged to on a ship. 

Through a harsh upbringing, this traumatised child grew up to be an Obscurial, a wizard who developed dark parasitical magical forces. At the end of the sequel, Grindelwald gifted Credence a phoenix, a creature which all Dumbledores are able to summon. He also presents Credence with his "real" identity as Aurelius Dumbledore. 

Is Grindelwald a villain? Perhaps. But is he a liar? We're not so sure. While there's no certainty as to whether Credence is in fact related to Albus, it's safe to assume as of now, that they are "technical" relatives until more is revealed in Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (2022).

4. Dumbledore and Grindelwald were companions with a blood pact between them

After Dumbledore refused to take part in a Grindelwald takedown in Fantastic Beasts: Crimes of Grindelwald (2018), magic officials believe that it is due to the residual romantic feelings that remained between Albus and Gellert. Little did they know, their connection was much deeper than it seemed.

During their schooling days at Hogwarts, the duo made a blood-pact that prevented them from fighting each other.

Despite that, one of Newt's magical creatures stole a vial from Grindelwald that held this binding promise at the end of Crimes of Grindelwald (2018). With no clear-cut direction, there was a hint that Dumbledore may be able to destroy the spell, and take up his wand against Grindelwald to defeat him.

5. Nagini is still in human form, though that may not last much longer

Image via NME

OG Harry Potter fans will know Nagini as Lord Voldermort's snake that was used as a horcrux for his soul. 

Introduced in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018) as Credence's friend, we are given a glimpse into her Maledictus powers.

Knowing that she eventually becomes bound to Voldermort as his pet, and finding out in Crimes of Grindelwald (2018) that she will be stuck in her Maledictus form in due course, it's safe to expect that some level of connection between these two storylines will merge in The Secrets of Dumbledore (2022).

6. Bunty is finally making her long-awaited return

Image via CBR

Bunty Broadcre had a short appearance in Fantastic Beasts: Crimes of Grindelwald (2018) as Newt's assistant. In her brief display, it was clear to fans that she has a passion for taking care of magical beasts, and has a soft spot for Newt as well.

Bunty's charm and endearing personality had many fans demanding more screen time for this character in subsequent movies.

Though it's unclear what her path will be in The Secrets of Dumbledore (2022), we can expect more of Bunty this time, as it's apparent from the trailer that she will be part of the team to help take down Grindelwald.

7. Johnny Depp is not reprising his role as Gellert Grindelwald

Image via Digital Spy

Diving into the personal lives of the actors who play these iconic roles, Johnny Depp resigned from the role of Grindelwald after shooting a few scenes for The Secrets of Dumbledore (2022)

Depp's exit came as a result of the ongoing abuse allegations between himself and ex-wife, Amber Heard. Though this case has been public since 2016, the matter became more serious after Depp lost a subsequent case (of libel) against an English publication, The Sun. This eventually forced Depp to resign from the iconic role.

In light of his exit, Mads Mikkelsen is now playing the role of Grindelwald. With mixed feelings by fans across the board, there's no doubt that everyone will tune in for the second sequel of the Fantastic Beasts series to see how he fairs as the legendary antagonist. 

Are you looking forward to 'Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore'? The movie hits Malaysian theatres on 13 April 2022!

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