The name of the 3rd instalment of the Fantastic Beasts franchise is out and it isn’t ‘The Last Cries of Men‘, ‘The Ink Black Heart‘ or even ‘Love Stories for the Rich and Desperate’. Announced by Warner Bros. yesterday the new title is The Secrets of Dumbledore. Other details are few- we have a new release date 15th April 2022, brought forward from 15th July 2022, and a brief plot synopsis:
Professor Albus Dumbledore knows the powerful Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald is moving to seize control of the wizarding world. Unable to stop him alone, he entrusts Magizoologist Newt Scamander to lead an intrepid team of wizards, witches and one brave Muggle baker on a dangerous mission, where they encounter old and new beasts and clash with Grindelwald’s growing legion of followers. But with the stakes so high, how long can Dumbledore remain on the side-lines?
Also released is the writer’s credit, which now reads: “J. K. Rowling & Steve Kloves, based upon a screenplay be J. K Rowling.” Let me know what your thoughts are in the comments!
I’m looking for some symbolism hidden in the writing, to echo the Deathly Hallows hidden in the ‘Crimes of Grindelwald’ title – which I wrote about here, confident (given the massive trailing it was receiving) that the symbol would be a major part of the film: https://www.mugglenet.com/2018/11/the-crimes-of-grindelwald-kipling-and-the-origins-of-the-deathly-hallows-symbol/ In the event of course, and rather disappointingly that symbol turned out to have next to no bearing on the film . However, nothing deterred, I note that there are two wands in the title of The Secrets of Dumbledore – the solid ‘wand’ underlining ‘Fantastic Beasts’ and its shadow opposite in the wand-shaped hole in the ‘D’ of Dumbledore. The battle of the elder wand v. whatever wand D. has now (and how that can beat an unbeatable wand?) starts here?
Great spot Beatrice! The Elder wand as shown in the film franchise has those distinctive ‘knobs’ along it’s length. But it isn’t entirely clear to me when Grindelwald acquires it. The fandom seems to think pre 1926 based on hair colour.
Grindelwald was described as a “laughing boy” when he stole the wand from Gregorovitch, so I think he acquired it not too long after he and young Albus parted ways.
Tina was actually the one who disarmed Grindelwald in the first movie, albeit by Accio and not Expelliarmus, so this would theoretically make her the current master of the Elder Wand. I assume Accio would be as effective at transferring loyalty as Expelliarmus, given that Harry won the Elder wand by simply snatching the hawthorn wand out of Draco’s hand.
But then, there is plenty of time between now and 1945 for someone to disarm Tina, and then *that* person has the wand. Indeed, given she is working as an Auror, it is almost inevitable Tina will be disarmed at some point. Then that villain will be disarmed and captured… and so on. Neville’s Gran could have the Elder wand by 1945.
But, perhaps the reason Dumbledore beat the unbeatable wand is that the wand wasn’t really Grindelwald’s.
Which is why Harry really should have chosen a safer career. Half the wizarding world was watching as he explained the wand lore to Voldy, so they would know all they have to do is hit Harry with an Expelliarmus and they own the Elder Wand. And Dumbledore’s grave is a pretty obvious hiding place.
Brilliant Louise! Of course you’re right, Grindelwald was the “young bloke perched on a window sill” in the Gregorovitch memory. So he must have the Elder wand now – this could get very interesting.
I am puzzled by several reactions: as a young man Grindelwald stole the elder wand from Gregorovitch. At the beginning of FB 1 he clearly handles that wand. At the end he (Graves) does too, but is disarmed by Newt. Those who only saw the movie think that Tina (“accio”) has become master of the wand. But those who read the script too, know that it is Newt who is its new master: “(Graves) falls to his knees, dropping his wand”. And then Tina does the summoning charm. In FB 2 Kama has already imprisoned (and disarmed) Tina in his hideout, when invites Newt in, but then: “Kama: “”Expelliarmus!”” Newt’s wand flies out of his hand into KAMA’s”. So in the next 3 movies we will see how the elder wand’s mastership will pass from Kama to Dumbledore. Dd will already be its master as he finally confronts Grindelwald, so there will be a parallel with Harry’s final showdown with Voldemort: the wand will not work against Dd. Therefore I quote Rita Skeeter (of all people) from HP7: “Don’t be so sure that there really was the spectacular duel of legend”.
Thank you Jan! This could turn very labyrinthine. I am convinced by your analysis of who is the current master of the wand, but looking at the movie stills, the wand Graves/Grindelwald uses in FB1 isn’t the eldar wand. That doesn’t matter in terms who is the current master, and the wand in FB2 stills does look like the Deathly Hallow.