FAAAAAANtastic Beasts. Yes, again. I have THOUGHTS, and questions.

[birdsofshore]

So, first of all, two questions and some other discussion for anyone who's seen the film:

Did you notice about Graves being SOOO interested in why Dumbledore was fond of Newt? Gosh, I didn't even think about it til I saw the film the second time knowing Graves was Grindelwald, and then it gave me shivers, how much that question obviously meant to him. I thought that was really cool and clever, and they even showed it in the trailer, and we had NO IDEA. O_O I love that.

I borrowed the script from the library specifically to check on what Grindelwald said to Newt at the end, because it was incomprehensible! Apparently it was: "Will we die, just a little?" WTF does THAT mean? I read a theory that suggested Grindelwald and Newt have ~history, and that does make sense, really, because he addresses this directly to Newt, and this line of dialogue is so inexplicable at the moment, but maybe it means something to Newt? Any ideas on this?

Then, I read the Credence/Graves scene that those of us sick enough to be into twisted grooming really enjoyed, and I think it's actually MORE homo-erotic in the script:

"GRAVES gently, almost seductively, moves his thumb across the cuts, healing them instantly. CREDENCE stares...

GRAVES seems to make a decision. He puts on an earnest, trustworthy expression as, from his pocket, he produces a chain bearing the symbol of the Deathly Hallows.

GRAVES: I want you to have this, Credence. I would trust very few with it -

GRAVES moves close, placing the chain around CREDENCE's neck as he whispers.

GRAVES: Very few.

GRAVES places his hands on either side of CREDENCE's neck, drawing him in, his speech quiet, intimate.

GRAVES: ...but you - you're different.

CREDENCE is unsure, both nervous of and attracted by GRAVE's behaviour...

GRAVES moves even closer to CREDENCE, his face inches from the boy's neck - the effect is both alluring and threatening - as he whispers.

GRAVES: Do this and you will be honoured among wizards. For ever.

GRAVES pulls CREDENCE into a hug which, with his hand on CREDENCE's neck, seems more controlling than affectionate. CREDENCE, overwhelmed by the seeming affection, closes his eyes and relaxes slightly."

OMG, and YES PLEASE. ♥

And some spoilers about the rest of the series, for people who don't mind discussing that:

NO MORE GRAVES! I am really quite mopingly unhappy about this. WOE and bugger, bugger, bugger. This info came from David Heyman in the interview here: Snitchseeker interview . And the Credence/Graves ship is doomed before it properly began *waiiiiillll*

(my son J says this is how most people feel about Sirius dying in HP and it serves me right. !!!)

CREDENCE LIVES: The script has a little description of his apparent death which shows AHA he's not gone...

As Newt follows Madam Picquery’s gaze, he sees a tendril of black matter, a small part of the Obscurus, floating down through the roof. Unnoticed by anyone else, it eventually floats up and away, trying to reconnect with its host.

And apparently A deleted scene showed him boarding a boat at the end of the film. This is great news, but I cannot be truly content without the prospect of more Graves/Credence alleyway angst.

And apparently, we can expect a fadeout of Newt, Tina, Queenie and Jacob as main characters, to be replaced by Grindelwald, Credence and Dumbledore. I thought the first film was pretty dark and depressing on the whole, and it seems the tone of the series will if anything get darker? I'm not sure how I feel about this, but if Credence is involved, it can't be all bad. :DD

And finally: still no news about the casting of Dumbledore... what do you think? Any hopes or fears?

I'd love to hear your thoughts. ♥

Comments

[amorette.livejournal.com]

Did you notice about Graves being SOOO interested in why Dumbledore was fond of Newt?

OMG!! I literally just realized I should be viewing this from the context of Grindelwald saying it. Duhh. Omg there is so much we could conjecture here LOL. I live for it. Like, was he implying some sort of ~~jealousyyy~~???

o_O

:D

It makes me hopefuly for requited romantic feelings between Albus and Gellert. I was talking to someone else and we were like, watch them make it unrequited and Albus just pined for Gellert forever. Sadness.

[birdsofshore]

I didn't notice it at all the first time I saw it, but when I watched it the second time, knowing who Graves was, it stood out a MILE. I definitely inferred jealousy from it - it was just such a random line of questioning at that point, the word 'fond' is quite suggestive of a kind of intimacy that's more than friendship or professional loyalty, and he says it almost like an insulting accusation - "What makes Albus Dumbledore so fond of you?"

It could just be Colin Farrell's interpretation, of course. There's nothing about it in the script.

[amorette.livejournal.com]

Thats so interesting that it's not in the script!

I actually think Colin Farrell was amazing. As was Johnny Depp for all of two lines that he spoke. Actually Depp shocked me bc originally I was like, ew come on really? Because of his abuse allegations. But then you see him act and youre like... Wow. Wow. He really is just something else. Its not even possible to deny how good an actor he is obviously.

[birdsofshore]

I'm sorry, I didn't like Depp at all! I wanted to be able to watch Grindelwald without being distracted by a well-known actor in the role - I wish they'd cast a relatively unknown person. And I didn't actually like what he did with it. I didn't like the accent, or his appearance, or his mystifying line of dialogue - I thought it was all over the top.

But I thought Farrell was FANTASTIC. I'm mesmerised by his performance, actually, and so sad he won't be in any future films.

[amorette.livejournal.com]

I totally relate to your feels about Depp! Im sort of in this middle ground where if Id have to say what I would have prefered, Id definitely want what you just described; but at the same time grdgingly accepting that Depp is a great actor. Haha

And hes so much older than I imagined! But is he supposed to be at this time? I somehow... dont think so? I might be forgetting though. But even in the 8 original movies, they did cast everyone much older than the book timeline would have suggested. Idk why I was so shocked to see they did that.

[birdsofshore]

We were working this out: I think Grindelwald would be early 40s at this time. I think Depp is 50 something? So, yes, they aged up again. :(

[birdsofshore]

And sorry, when I said "There's nothing about it in the script," I meant, no direction as to how the lines should be said. Some other parts are quite descriptive (eg the Credence/Graves scene I quoted) but the Graves/Newt scene just has the lines written as said in the film.

I am so excited to see who is cast as Dumbledore! You must have your heart in your mouth thinking about it!

[amorette.livejournal.com]

Yes! I think its quite clear I am very invested in Dumbledore and his storyline w Gellert so yeah, I have all this weird ~worry about it. Which shouldnt be anyways because its not like the other movies cast everyone how Id have pictured anyways. But then I didnt think of it the same way, that was just an interpretation to me and clear it wasnt like supposed to represent actual canon 100%. A movie adaptation is always like that.

I think with FB its possibly different because, ether being in fandom made me feel more emotionally attached than ever, or the fact that its actively creating new things now as opposed to just adapting it for screen. Im super excited about hearing what happens with the Albus/Gellert storyline but hearing recent stuff online made me realize I shouldnt get too emotionally dependant on my feels being fulfilled. Im gonna just try to expect she will make it an unrequited love affair lol. Just except it! That way I wont be disapointed.

[birdsofshore]

Oh, gosh, no, I hope that doesn't happen, the unrequited thing. That would be crappy.

But yes to minimising anguish by expecting the worst! I was physically feeling sick over Cursed Child! Draco just before they revealed the casting and the promo photos, and I didn't like his portrayal at all on stage, but I still adore the play for what it is and am going to see it again this week with much excitement. I just ignore the fact that someone who's meant to be playing Draco is in it when I think about it! He's not Draco to me.

[amorette.livejournal.com]

I really relate to that. You know, sometimes I think we need to let all that initial angst out in order to be able to feel relaxed later and enjoy the thing for what it is. Im so happy to hear you enjoy Cursed Child now! It's great that you can engage with the positive aspects of it now and find enjoyment in it.

It seems the Harry Potter world is going to keep expanding, and thats not something any of us is going to be able to change!

[birdsofshore]

Interestingly, a different actor played Draco this time and I was *so* much more into it! He just looked much more the part, and had the right posture, etc. I still don't like the character of Draco the way he's portrayed in the script, but with this actor it at least was a LOT better.