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FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE CRIMES OF GRINDELWALD I J.K. Rowling’s beastly sequel goes back to school…

The latest on The Crimes Of Grindelwald.

Though an admirable expansion of J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World, there was something missing from Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them, and we’re not talking about MVP Neville Longbottom. “Just so you know, this is a touchy subject,” says Ezra Miller, currently speaking to Teasers dressed as Toadette (it is Comic-Con, after all). “Not all of us got to go to Hogwarts. There are other people who I’m trying not to hate.”

Those who did take the trip via Platform 9 3/4 include an old favourite with a new face: Albus Dumbledore, with Jude Law stepping into the robes of the future head of Hogwarts. “It’s extraordinary when you have a relationship with a place, and then you find yourself in it. It has a personal relationship with you,” Law smiles.

Hogwarts will feature in Fantastic Beasts sequel The Crimes Of Grindelwald for good reason – it’s where we’re introduced to the mentor/mentee relationship between Dumbledore and Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne), one which is rekindled when Dumbles calls on Newt to track down dangerous dark wizard Grindelwald (Johnny Depp).

“Dumbledore… he’s a sly one,” Redmayne ponders. “He’s always gently manipulating you. Newt’s conscious of it, but you can’t help but love him.” Law also saw similarities between his future relationship with The Boy Who Lived. “Dumbledore trusts people who always make the right choice,” explains Law who, at 45, makes for a positively sprightly grand sorcerer. “There’s a part of him also that thinks he has a monster inside of him. Newt is someone who can have affection for monsters. That’s a theme that runs through the whole film – people facing the monster inside.”

Also along for the ride is Newt’s big brother Theseus, played by Green Room’s Callum Turner – the siblings glimpsed here, wands at the ready, in our exclusive picture. “To explore the relationship with Newt was exciting for me – someone who’s super-successful and generous.” But it turns out, even being a Scamander doesn’t net you Hogwarts privileges. “Callum and I weren’t invited to Hogwarts,” sobs Redmayne. “So we stole in ourselves and took illegal selfies.”

But what of Newt’s fantastic beasts? “The Niffler is back,” says Redmayne of the scene- (and jewellery) stealing creature, before teasing, “but the Niffler may have babies, and there may be a world of that going on.” Which begs the question, what’s going on in the worlds of returning players such as Tina, Jacob, Queenie, Leta Lestrange and Credence? “We’ve just revealed that there might be baby Nifflers, so I don’t feel like we have to do any more promotion for this film,” Miller announces. “It sells itself. There are baby Nifflers. Why would you not see the movie? It’s ridiculous. That would be silly.” Consider us sold.

ETA | 16 NOVEMBER / FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE CRIMES OF GRINDELWALD OPENS THIS AUTUMN.