Mads Mikkelsen is Grindelwald in "Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore"

Popularly known in the title role of the celebrated TV series “Hannibal,” Mads Mikkelsen stars in the epic fantasy adventure “Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore” as Gellert Grindelwald who had been a wanted man due to his radical beliefs and violent tactics.  

Watch the featurette “Mads Mikkelsen’s Grindelwald” at” https://youtu.be/P5WHDoQOPQ8 

Watch the film’s final trailer at https://youtu.be/CNuKIckppJc

Now, the powerful Dark wizard has emerged from the shadows, ready to implement his plot to gain control of the entire wizarding world and wage all-out war on the Muggles.  This time, however, he is not operating outside the law but within the system while twisting it to his own ends, which makes him all-the-more dangerous.

Director David Yates praises Mikkelsen, saying “Mads is a gifted actor who is always curious to try things, extremely collaborative and a genuine pleasure to work with.  On set, he’s fun to be around and then can switch on a sixpence to deliver a moment that is dark and arresting.”

Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) is the one wizard with the power to thwart Grindelwald’s ambitions. Interestingly, there is something of a parallel between Grindelwald and Dumbledore in terms of each having to use others as means to opposite ends.  Mikkelsen offers, “Grindelwald cannot make a move against Dumbledore, but Albus is in the way of Gellert gaining absolute power.  The film makes it very clear what each and every individual is trying to achieve; the question is how they are going to do it.  I think it’s a wonderful story that takes us on a ride through this magical world.”

Well aware that Dumbledore’s allies are conspiring against him, Grindelwald is focused on his objective, believing it is for the greater good.  Mads Mikkelsen suggests, “His goal is not entirely insane, in the sense that he definitely believes it will lead to a better world.  The means by which he wants to achieve that, however, is not necessarily what everybody else is agreeing on.”

The actor goes on to observe that his character also feels a sense of loss over the man who once shared his goals.  “Gellert and Albus are very talented wizards who were once united in a common dream—to make the world what they felt would be a better place.  It created a strong bond that lasted for quite a while…and then it shattered.”

“It was important to us to convey the commitment that these two men had made to each other,” director David Yates concludes.  “That feeling of being removed from someone with whom you have a deep connection threads its way through the story and is one of the themes at play for several characters.”

Warner Bros. Pictures presents a Heyday Films Production, a David Yates film, “Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore,” in Philippine theaters Black Saturday, April 16.  The film will be distributed worldwide in select theatres and IMAX by Warner Bros. Pictures.

Join the conversation online and use the hashtag #SecretsOfDumbledore