Dan Fogler on Jacob Kowalski Getting a Wand: “It Was an Enormous Honor”
Dumbledore’s secrets are out! Or are they? The new film Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore has everyone talking. Some are saying it’s the best one yet. One thing’s for sure: The film has its fair share of surprises, one of which is that, for the first time in history, a Muggle (or in the film’s case, a No-Maj) has been given a wand. There might be hope for all of us yet.
In Secrets of Dumbledore, Jacob Kowalski, a No-Maj and Newt’s best friend, finally takes a step into the wizarding world in a way no other Muggle we know has ever done before: He got his own wand. It’s not just any wand either – it’s a rare wand given to him by Albus Dumbledore. Now, where has Dumbledore been hiding that very interesting tool for so long? Does it still exist in Harry’s era? Why are we only now hearing about a wand that Muggles can use? We knew this film would probably leave us with more questions than answers – it’s Dumbledore we’re talking about, after all.
Apparently, being cast as a Muggle makes you feel just a little left out when it comes to all things magical (we all know the feeling), and Dan Fogler admitted in an interview that it felt like being cast in Star Wars without having a lightsaber. Jacob receiving a wand is an exciting and unexpected development in the film, and when Fogler heard that Jacob was getting a wand, he was thrilled, especially because he could already imagine the comedic chaos that could ensue from this development.
I watched for two movies, everyone getting their wands, and they would go to their training sessions. I always thought maybe someone will drop one and I’ll be able to pick it up and give it back to them. I felt like it was an enormous honor to be handed this one from Dumbledore. And I just thought, man, there’s a lot of potential for some great comedy and action moments with this [M]uggle just trying to figure it out, and it was just great. It was just so cool.
While finally getting a wand is a dream come true for Fogler, there is something else Jacob Kowalski wants: Queenie Goldstein. Even though her joining Grindelwald’s ranks at the end of the second film left all her friends heartbroken, Jacob has surely not fallen out of love with her. Fogler looks forward to seeing the relationship develop.
For Jacob, the most important thing is Queenie. Their relationship makes for a good story. It can’t always be love and roses. You know, you have some tension there. She comes, she gets pulled away and that’s a huge part of the adventure, is getting her back.
Now that he has a wand, Jacob is pretty much officially a part of the wizarding world, and while we all wish that were us, we’re happy for him. In the meantime, there’s a nifty little video on Wizarding World Digital’s official Instagram account that shows how Jacob’s wand was made. We might very well pick up a few tips on how to make our own. You can check out the video below.
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