The Wizarding World returned to Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con with a new trailer and a special presentation for their upcoming November film Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.
Johnny Depp, dressed in character, delivered an epic speech to the audience as Eddie Redmayne, Jude Law and Ezra Miller looked on in Hall H. The film comes as a sequel to the 2016 film Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, which was based on stories and characters touched upon by author JK Rowling in the Harry Potter series.
The presentation featured many of the film’s stars, including Johnny Depp, who plays main villain Gellert Grindelwald. The star’s personal life, along with allegations of domestic violence, led to his involvement with the franchise becoming so controversial that J.K. Rowling issued a statement in December defending the actor. The Warner Bros. The Comic-Con preview is the first major public appearance for Depp since the release of his popular Rolling Stone profile that provided an in-depth look at his private life.
For the Hall H presentation, Depp didn’t participate in the panel discussion, which consisted of a Q&A with the audience. Instead he showed up at the end of the presentation dressed in full costume to deliver a speech in character. Waving a wand, Depp said in his character’s deep English accent that “the great gift of your applause is not for me but for yourselves. Magic blooms only in rare souls. It is granted to those who live for higher purposes. What a world we would make for all of humanity. We, who live for freedom, for truth — the moment has come to rise up and take our rightful place in the world.”
Star Eddie Redmayne will reprise his role of Newt Scamander, with Depp starring as Grindelwald. Meanwhile Katherine Waterston, Alison Sudol, Dan Fogler, Ezra Miller all returning in their respective roles from the first production. While the original was set in America, the sequel will take place in the more familiar Wizarding World setting of Europe. The new trailer provided a further look at 1920’s Hogwarts, along with the highly anticipated debut of Jude Law as young Albus Dumbledore.
During the panel the cast was asked what spells they most like to be possible in real life, with the top answer being a spell that would impeach President Donald Trump. “Impeachius maximus,” cried out Fogler to the delight of the crowd, while Miller said he would like a spell that had the ability to “destroy the patriarchy.”
In addition, Warner Bros released new artwork along with the trailer. Fantastic Beasts: Crimes of Grindelwald will hit theaters on November 16.