Jude Law Explains His Portrayal of Dumbledore's Sexuality in 'Fantastic Beasts 2'

Jude Law has spoken thoughtfully about his portrayal of Albus Dumbledore's sexuality in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.

Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling told fans in 2007 that the beloved Hogwarts professor is gay, something which was never addressed in her books or its film adaptations, where Dumbledore was played first by Richard Harris, and then by Sir Michael Gambon following Harris's death.

Law portrays a younger Dumbledore in this month's Fantastic Beasts sequel, joining the cast led by Eddie Redmayne and Katherine Waterston. Director David Yates told Entertainment Weekly earlier this year that the character would not be depicted as "explicitly" gay, but the film does explore his intense friendship with Johnny Depp's character Gellert Grindelwald.

"Put it this way: This film is not about his homosexuality, nor does his sexuality define him," Law has now told The New York Times. "But that relationship is certainly a defining element of who he is and what he’s about. I also don’t think he’s someone who has given his heart or his soul to many people. The aftermath of their relationship left him reeling, and he’s packed his heart in ice, to be honest, and no one’s quite thawed it."

Asked if the world is ready for a "gay children's icon," Law replied: "I think the world is ready for it, and if it isn’t, it bloody well should be."

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald is in theaters now. Law will next be seen opposite Brie Larson in 2019 superhero movie Captain Marvel – check out the first pictures here.

What do you think of Law's portrayal of Dumbledore in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald?