Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore sets new 2022 release date

Initially scheduled for July 15th, the newest installment of the Fantastic Beasts series is hitting screens earlier than expected.

The Warner Bros. studio released the new title of the third film in the planned series of five Harry Potter prequels, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, alongside the new premiere date.

The upcoming film stars Jude Law as Dumbledore, Eddie Redmayne as Newt Scamander and Mads Mikkelsen as the central villain, Gellert Grindelwald, previously played by Johnny Depp. Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, Ezra Miller, Callum Turner, Jessica Williams, William Nadylam and Katherine Waterston also star.

The Warner Bros. studio also unveiled details on the plot of the next film. “Professor Albus Dumbledore knows the powerful Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald is moving to seize control of the wizarding world. Unable to stop him alone, he entrusts Magizoologist Newt Scamander to lead an intrepid team of wizards, witches and one brave Muggle baker on a dangerous mission, where they encounter old and new beasts and clash with Grindelwald’s growing legion of followers.  But with the stakes so high, how long can Dumbledore remain on the sidelines?”.

The third Fantastic Beasts installment has already made headlines when Johnny Depp exited the series after Warner Bros. asked him to resign. Depp's departure came shortly following the news that he lost a libel case that concluded he assaulted his ex-wife, Amber Heard.

The movie is set to be directed by Harry Potter veteran David Yates. Despite the controversial social media posts made by J.K. Rowling against transgender people, she will be co-writing the script with Steven Kloves. It is produced by David Heyman, Kloves, Lionel Wigram, Tim Lewis, and Rowling.