'The Crimes of Grindelwald': Jude Law builds a new Dumbledore

Law assures the story is more focused on his character's complicated relationship with Grindelwald from decades ago, rather than Dumbledore's sexuality.

"His sexuality doesn't define him, but the relationship with Grindelwald does," Law said. "I believe, and (Rowling) would agree, that Albus had many intimate relationships. And the one he has is the love of his life, which is damaged. It becomes even poisonous and sends the two of them in opposite directions. He's now in his middle age, around my age 45, and he's still recovering from a relationship that he's trying to work out from when he was 20. That's a long time. I could barely remember what life was like when I was 20."

The actor applauded Rowling for being fearless in creating "layered" and "diverse" characters such as Dumbledore in a fantasy world with "escapism and magic."

"Isn't it wonderful that we're in a world where finally, finally a franchise like this has a great character and it doesn't matter. But (Rowling) is brave enough to put it out there and say 'Let's do this.' People should be able to handle this. They can. It's as we should be."

Law called his introduction as Dumbledore a good "warm up" as the franchise progresses. The actor has a few big films ahead on his plate including "Captain Marvel" and "Vox Lux," but is looking forward to filming the third installment of "Fantastic Beasts" next summer.

It'll give Law time to grow his beard.

"Finding all those pieces of him were fun" he said. "I eased into the part, but the line was drawn at the end of this one. It's only going to get deeper."

AP