What Role Will Newt Play in Taking Down Grindelwald?

by · September 26, 2018

Yesterday, after the final Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald trailer was released, the Internet was buzzing with questions about the movie’s mysterious and exciting plot. Most of the buzz has centered around one particular reveal, but there is much more that needs explaining. During the hullabaloo, a fan tweeted J.K. Rowling a question about Dumbledore, Newt, and Grindelwald.

 

 

We know from the original Harry Potter series that Dumbledore ultimately dueled and defeated Grindelwald, one of the most powerful and dangerous Dark wizards of all time. In the new trailer for Crimes of Grindelwald, however, young Dumbledore tells Newt, “It has to be you.” So what role does Newt really play in Grindelwald’s defeat? Here are a few theories:

 

The magical creatures are important.

Do some of the creatures that we meet help defeat Grindelwald? I don’t know about you, but I’d love to see the Darkest wizard of all time be chased by an Erumpent like Jacob was! We can’t forget that their horns are explosive, which we learned in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Even with the “less harmful” beasts, like Nifflers, it’s easy to see what strengths they can bring to the table in what I’m sure will be an epic battle.

Imagine it: man and beast working together – what better way could there be to defeat a Dark wizard? We saw the importance of giants and Thestrals in the Battle of Hogwarts, so I would be surprised if the creatures provide nothing more than entertainment to this series. We know J.K. better than that by now – the franchise is called Fantastic Beasts, after all!

 

 

 

It has to do with his respect for Muggles.

Newt is not one to underestimate others. Although I’m not convinced that any wizard could love Muggles more than Arthur Weasley, Mr. Scamander is the kind of person who sees what’s special in all beings – whether woman, man, child, or beast. Newt Scamander brings out the good in all, and because of that, I think the love that he has for everyone and everything that crosses his path is crucial. Does Newt’s love have the same power as Lily’s? That is, of course, how Harry was able to defeat You-Know-Who, another infamous wizard. Love and respect could be the key here. While Dumbledore has a conflict of interest in regard to Grindelwald, Newt knows what is right and has the strength to face darkness head-on.

 

 

 

He couldn’t do it alone.

We don’t yet know exactly when, but young Newt was expelled from Hogwarts. Just as Hagrid never finished his formal education (what is the correlation between those who care for magical beasts and getting kicked out of school?) and sometimes struggled as a result, it’s safe to assume that Newt’s charm work can’t always be top-notch. Defeating a Dark wizard on his own, therefore, is safely out of the question for our hero.

Just as Harry was surrounded by those who loved and supported him as he faced Voldemort, Newt has a stellar team to back him. We’ve already seen the sacrifices that have been made for the greater good (no, not that greater good). We know that Tina, Queenie, and Jacob are all on his side. If Theseus Scamander and Leta Lestrange fight with him too, that’s a crew that could rival Dumbledore’s Army! Regardless of what happens and whose magical government is against them, we know that “Newt’s Army” is going to do amazing things.