Fantastic Beasts 2: Jude Law to play young Albus Dumbledore, fans go wild

Jude Law will play a young Albus Dumbledore in the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them sequel. Photo / AP

The casting agents for the Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them franchise have chosen their new Albus Dumbledore, and fans are overwhelmingly endorsing their decision.

Warner Bros. announced overnight that Sherlock Holmes star Jude Law will play a young version of the legendary wizard in the second instalment of the Harry Potter prequels.

It means Law will star opposite Johnny Depp as a young Gellert Grindelwald, who was Dumbledore's closest friend/potential lover before he turned evil.

And fans are really feelin' it ("Yumbledore", anyone?).

dumbledore more like dumbleDAMN pic.twitter.com/QU88X6Oir6

— 𝒃𝒆𝒏𝒏𝒊 ☾ (@lvnajoonie) April 12, 2017

JUDE LAW IS YOUNG DUMBLEDORE JUDE LAW IS YOUNG DUMBLEDORE JUDE LAW IS YOUNG DUMBLEDORE JUDE LAW IS YOUNG DUMBLEDORE JUDE LAW IS YOUNG DUMBLE pic.twitter.com/kKFFhhsSwo

— saoirse ronan (@shxrlocked) April 12, 2017

well hello albus dumbledore pic.twitter.com/0Kbh3aVeJ9

— hannah (@annehathavay) April 12, 2017

However, many people aren't so keen on Depp retaining his role as Grindelwald, following the abuse allegations made by Amber Heard during the couple's shocking divorce battle last year.

Despite the backlash, the studio and author J.K. Rowling are sticking to their casting decision.

I'm loving Jude Law's casting as young Dumbledore but I still hate Johnny Depp's casting 😬

— Gisela 🐩 (@cheepotle) April 13, 2017

I jus think Jude Law Dumbledore deserves better than a Johnny Depp Grindlewald

— 🐔 stay (katy) kooped up 🐔 (@katykooped) April 13, 2017

excited about jude law playing young dumbledore but can they recast johnny depp please

— 𝘴𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘩 (@jeauexe) April 12, 2017

Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them 2 is scheduled for release in 2018.