'Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore' release date, cast and plot

A second trailer has been released for Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore and fans can now get a closer look at Mads Mikkelsen as Gellert Grindelwald.

It is the third instalment in the Fantastic Beasts film series, which started with 2016’s Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, and is a sequel to 2018’s Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the film coming to theatres next month.

Who is in the cast of ‘Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore’?

A number of stars from the previous films return in this one, including Jude Law as Dumbledore, Ezra Miller as Credence Barebone/Aurelius Dumbledore, and Eddie Redmayne as Newt Scamander. Also reprising their roles are Dan Fogler as Jacob Kowalski, Alison Sudol as Queenie Goldstein and Katherine Waterston as Tina Goldstein.

Replacing Johnny Depp as Grindelwald is Mikkelsen, who joined the cast after Depp was asked to drop out by Warner Bros over negative publicity in his libel case against The Sun newspaper.

Newcomers to the film include Jessica Williams as Professor Lally Hicks, William Nadylam as Yusuf Kama, Poppy Corby-Tuech as Vinda Rosier and Richard Coyle as Aberforth Dumbledore.

When is the release date for ‘Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore’?

Although the film was delayed because of the pandemic, there is finally a release date. The movie will come out on Friday, April 8 in the UK, Friday, April 15 in the US and Thursday, April 28 in the UAE.

What is the film about?

The film is set years after the events of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. Taking place in the 1930s, it sets up a global wizarding war that runs parallel to the Second World War. As Grindelwald sets his sights on taking over the wizarding world along with his growing number of followers, Dumbledore turns to Scamander and his friends to help take him down.

In addition, fans of the Harry Potter series will be brought back to familiar locations, including Hogsmeade, Hog's Head Inn and the Room of Requirement. The film will also reportedly take a look at other wizarding communities around the world including in Germany, China and Bhutan.