Nearly four years after the second film, fans of the Fantastic Beasts series have finally gotten their much anticipated third installment, Fantastic Beasts: the Secrets of Dumbledore, which hit screens on April 15, 2022. Opening to more favorable fan reviews than its predecessor, it seems David Yates' film has recreated some of the magic Potterheads loved in the original Harry Potter series.
While Crimes of Grindelwald left fans apprehensive about the series' future, Secrets of Dumbledore has eased a few of those worries and cast another round of excitement and curiosity for the expansion of the Wizarding World. In typical internet fashion, fans have taken to expressing their excitement and satisfaction in the way they know best: memes.
Dumbledore's Transformation
As the title suggests, this new film focuses heavily on Albus Dumbledore, depicting both his haunting past and present decisions. However, fans were quick to point out the difference in style the Crimes of Grindelwald Dumbledore had compared to that of the Harry Potter series.
While Professor Dumbledore of the original franchise was shown in bold, bedazzled robes and hats, Jude Law's Dumbledore was shown in sharp, fashionable suits and business attire. Many fans pondered what led to the professor's drastic sense of style, hoping this release will shed some light on this mystery.
I Did My Waiting!
Since the dawn of memes and the release of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, this scene of Sirius Black has been used by the fandom whenever they have to do waiting of any kind. So the Fantastic Beasts: the Secrets of Dumbledore film cannot be spared from it.
Having left Crimes of Grindelwald on such a monumental reveal, fans were left with many unanswered questions. It may not have been twelve years in Azkaban, but the three and a half years of waiting to receive some answers have felt equally and painfully long, as noted by Twitter @morgsbirdy.
Another one!?
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When reports broke that Johnny Depp would be replaced by Mads Mikkelsen to play Gellert Grindelwald, some fans were on the fence about the recasting decision. Most of the issues arose from the skepticism surrounding whether Mads would successfully be able to portray the notorious wizard.
Luckily, this film has put those doubts to rest. Mikkelsen has won over fans with his great performance as the twisted, manipulative, and cunning Grindelwald. Many memes have been inspired by this re-casting, Mads' brilliant execution of the role, and his fitting look as Dumbledore's former love.
MORE Retcons?
Crimes of Grindelwald gave a few retcons for previously established facts in the Harry Potter series, much to the chagrin of Potterheads everywhere. While Secrets of Dumbledore has been garnering more favor than its previous installment, fans were initially worried about having more retcons handed to them, one of which appeared to be Jacob's newly bestowed wand.
In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Arthur Weasley compares the probability of catching Sirius Black quickly to that of having self-spelling wands. Given that the Fantastic Beasts series takes place decades before this quote, fans were wary about the legitimacy of Jacob's wand. That being said, this new bit of information was also the perfect excuse to poke fun at some of the issues of the Fantastic Beasts franchise.
The REAL Team Jacob
Jacob Kowalski became a fan favorite from the very first Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. With his kind nature, witty one-liners, willingness to help, and impeccable baking skills, he was the perfect companion for the shy and quirky protagonist, Newt Scamander.
Having become Newt's reliable partner and best friend, Jacob is a staple of the Fantastic Beasts franchise, and what seems to be a permanent part of Newt's Grindelwald-fighting crew. He has an even bigger role in this film, given his new wand and full integration into Hogwarts and the Wizarding World lifestyle - meaning fans who are Team Jacob are in for a treat!
Newt to the Rescue!
Despite the slight shift in focus, Newt Scamander is still the heart of the Fantastic Beasts story. Fans are grateful for this, as his soft mannerisms and love for the fantastic beasts are what made the first film such a success. Crimes of Grindelwald saw Dumbledore enlisting Newt's help to bring down the dark wizard.
While his kind demeanor constantly renders him underestimated, Newt has proven time and again that he is capable of standing up against injustice and fighting for what is right. With Grindelwald's war on the muggle world looming, Newt is a reminder that love and kindness remain triumphant, a lesson that fans are appreciative of.
"Secrets" of Dumbledore
When the title for the newest film was released, fans had a hoot with the wordplay. Amongst Dumbledore's supposed many secrets, there was only one that fans hoped would finally be outed. Since Rowling's confirmation of Dumbledore being gay, fans have been waiting to see his sexuality confirmed by the character himself.
While many hoped it would be stated explicitly in Crimes of Grindelwald, they were disappointed at instead being given weak connotations and having to read between the lines. It seems at last Albus Dumbledore gets to confess his feelings for Grindelwald, without any beating around the bush, satisfying Grindeldore fans everywhere.
Grindeldore Angst
Not only does Secrets of Dumbledore provide Potterheads with the out Dumbledore they've been waiting for, but it is also full of the angsty romance fans have been longing to see on-screen since its first mention in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
Fulfilling the lovers-to-enemies-who-are-still-in-love trope, the film is ripe with the tension between Gellert and Albus as they struggle to reconcile their past feelings with their differing worldviews and morals. While the two must inevitably face one another, their love for each other is evidently still present, making their ultimate confrontation all the more emotional and complicated.
Newtina!
The Newt and Tina ship, fondly known as Newtina, is one of the most popular of the series. With their ongoing tension and quirky banter, the two have a brewing romance that fans have been eagerly awaiting to finally develop into something more.
However, fans were quick to notice Tina's absence from much of the promotional clips for this film, including the final trailers. Given that Tina has been by Newt's side throughout the Fantastic Beasts franchise thus far, fans were worried she would not be making an appearance or would be reduced to a quick cameo among the other returning Fantastic Beasts characters. Luckily, the release has proven otherwise.
This is FINE.
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As readers of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will know, Albus Dumbledore's life went up in flames after meeting Gellert Grindelwald. Not only did he end up damaging his reputation, fighting with his brother, and losing his sister, but he also got his heart irrevocably broken.
Facing Grindelwald again was not an easy decision for Albus, and the aftermath of their conversation sees him being left in flames yet again, this time literally. That scene is very reminiscent of the "This Is Fine" meme, with a composed Albus being left to figure out how to escape Grindelwald's devastation. Whether or not he succeeds in putting out Grindelwald's metaphoric fires is something fans must watch the film to find out.
