Facts and Theories: What Do We Know about “Crimes of Grindelwald”?

It’s been quite an exciting 24 hours since the teaser trailer for Fantastic Beasts:  The Crimes of Grindelwald was released. We’ve had some time to calm our emotions and we’re ready to talk facts and theories! What exactly do we know about the story so far?

At the end of the first Fantastic Beasts film, Grindelwald was captured by the MACUSA, led by Seraphina Picquery. However, in certain clips of the trailer, we see him standing in the middle of a large room with someone whom we can assume is Vinda Rosier, surrounded by people. It’s unclear what type of meeting this is, but given the fact that he is not surrounded by guards, it’s safe to say that this may be a rally of some sort for Grindelwald to gather his followers. But how did he get there?

In one of the scenes from the trailer, we see a chase involving a carriage pulled by Thestrals and two people on broomsticks in pursuit. The trailer gives us no clues as to who is in the carriage and who is chasing it, but a newly announced LEGO set is giving us a few answers. The set involves the carriage in question, as well as two characters: Gellert Grindelwald and Seraphina Picquery. This could mean one of two things: Either Seraphina is one of the figures on the broomsticks or she, for some unknown reason, is helping Grindelwald escape. Unless another trailer gives us more clues, this may be a question we have to wait until November to get the answer to.

We’ve known for quite some time that the film will be set in Paris. This was confirmed by the trailer when what appears to be a Ministry official tells Dumbledore (*cough*… Yumbledore), “there is a rumor that Newt Scamander is headed to Paris. I know he’s working under your orders.” Later in the trailer, Dumbledore tells Newt it has to be him who goes after Grindelwald and that Dumbledore can’t be the one to face him. It’s possible that that is the precise mission Newt is on in Paris. But why it “must” be Newt is still a mystery. Does Dumbledore want to avoid a clash with an old friend? Is there a specific link between Newt and Grindelwald we don’t know about?

The trailer seemed to produce more questions rather than answering any. We knew Credence had survived the end of the first film based on the first photo that was released of the cast. He seems to have found refuge with a band of other “misfits” in a Parisian wizarding circus. It’s here that he befriends the mysterious Maledictus, who appears to have the power to turn into a snake. What we don’t know is how he survived, how he got to Paris, how he can suddenly manage his Obscurial powers, and why he’s so mad in the trailer.

There is also a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment of an unknown man in a sewer looking over a family tree. There are two names on that family tree that particularly deserve your attention: Leta Lestrange and Credence Barebone. In our article here, we discuss the possibilities of Credence being part of the Lestrange family.

Speaking of Leta Lestrange, we don’t see a whole lot of her in this trailer. We know she and Newt may have had a brief romance but that she is now engaged to his brother, Theseus. Exactly what role she will play in the coming war isn’t clear. However, Theseus is seen fighting side by side with his brother. The Lestrange family has long been supportive of the Dark Arts, but will Leta be the light in the darkness? Or will she side with Grindelwald, causing a rift in her relationship with Theseus (and Newt)?

Our fantastic four, if you will, seem to be all over the place, with the exception of Newt and Jacob. It looks as though Tina has been reinstated at MACUSA (potentially in Percival Graves’ old position), and she is seen sleuthing around and entering a sewer area. Could she be pursuing the aforementioned mysterious man? We only get one glimpse of Queenie, which has us all worried. Will she fall victim to Grindelwald’s clutches? Newt also has a new assistant, Bunty. It will be interesting to see how she fits into all of this.

One thing is for sure – we are counting down the days until our questions are answered on November 16! In the meantime, check out our breakdown of the trailer here, and keep checking MuggleNet for any and all breaking news for the film in the coming months!

Do you have any theories of what’s to come in Crimes of Grindelwald?