Fantastic Beasts 2: The Biggest Story Reveals From The New Trailer

The final trailer has been released for Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, and it blows the lid on a number of key scenes and mysteries. This is the second film in the Fantastic Beasts franchise, and will see the threat of Grindelwald loom over both Muggle and Wizard communities alike. This final Fantastic Beasts 2 trailer promises magic of a kind we've never seen before in J.K. Rowling's films and books, and action on an unprecedented scale as Grindelwald prepares to end the century-long peace between Wizards and Muggles.

The marketing for Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald seems to have been a tremendous success. Fandango recently revealed the results of a poll declaring this the most anticipated movie of the fall. Star Eddie Redmayne was the season's third most anticipated actor, behind Rami Malek (Bohemian Rhapsody) and Tom Hardy (Venom). Given this level of excitement, then, all the final trailer really needed to do was further whet people's appetites and drop a couple of reveals.

And the trailer pulls it off magnificently. It blends key scenes with humorous dialogue that will delight viewers, and hints at some particularly powerful character moments. Here, let's look at all the most exciting takeaways from the Fantastic Beasts 2 trailer.

Harry Potter's Grindelwald Actor is Back

This is the most surprising reveal of all. British actor Jamie Campbell Bower played the young Gellert Grindelwald in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Parts 1 and 2, and it seems he's reprising the role for a brief appearance in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. One scene in the trailer shows Albus Dumbledore staring wearily into the Mirror of Erised, which grants him a vision of the deepest desire of his heart; Grindelwald himself. Bower's return is perfectly appropriate; it makes sense that Dumbledore should see Grindelwald as he was back in the days they were friends.

Nagini in Human Form

The trailer confirms a popular theory that South Korean actress Claudia Kim is playing the part of Nagini, a witch whose blood has been cursed. As the trailer shows, right now Nagini has the power to transform at will, and is a member of the Circus Arcanus. There, she uses her power to dazzle Muggle audiences, who don't realize that she truly is transforming into a snake. Nagini's future is tragic; she will one day be forced to turn into a snake forever, presumably losing her very humanity in its animal mind. The great snake will become Voldemort's pawn, and ultimately one of his Horcruxes.

Visions of World War II

Grindelwald has always been tied to the rise of Nazism in Europe, so it's hardly surprising that his ascension is linked to the Second World War. Indeed, the Fantastic Beasts series will run until 1945, when Dumbledore will finally defeat his old friend and bring the war to a close. This appears to be what we're seeing here, with Newt surrounded by wreckage as planes fly above. It's possible the Circus Arcanus includes a Seer of some kind, a witch or wizard who can grant visions of the future, explaining this vision. It may even be that these visions are the titular "crimes" of Grindelwald - the evils that he will be responsible for, and that will be done in his name.

Dumbledore's Was Always A Manipulator

Fantastic Beasts 2 Jude Law as Dumbledore

Speaking of Dumbledore, the trailer makes his role in the film perfectly clear. Just as in the Harry Potter movies, Dumbledore is the consummate Chess player, manipulating others like pawns in the game. This time round, though, his motives are very personal. The Mirror of Erised demonstrates that he fears he still cares too much for Grindelwald. What's more, one scene sees him explain why he's sending Newt; because he is a wizard who, unlike Dumbledore, has never sought power. Dumbledore fears that his instincts would lead him to abuse the magic Newt will encounter in France, and so prefers to send an agent rather than head out there himself.