10 years ago JK Rowling revealed to Harry Potter fans that Dumbledore, the headmaster of Hogwarts, was indeed gay. She even went onto to further explain that in his youth he was in love with the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald.

Rowling also previously hinted that the love story between the two could be further explored in the near future. 

Naturally, then, fans were excited to see how Dumbledore’s sexuality would be explored in the second instalment of the Fantastic Beasts franchise, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, Dumbledore’s sexuality would be a bigger part of the story.

However in a recent interview with director David Yates in Entertainment Weekly has caused concern:

“Not explicitly,” Yates replied when asked if the film makes it clear that Dumbledore is gay.

“But I think all the fans are aware of that. He had a very intense relationship with Grindelwald when they were young men. They fell in love with each other’s ideas, and ideology and each other.”

Which has led to fans taking to Twitter to demand better from the author, saying:

“‘Not explicitly,’ Yates replied when asked if the film makes it clear that Dumbledore is gay. ‘But I think all the fans are aware of that.’

“IT’S 2018 LMAO. GET IT TOGETHER.”

“Uhhh Dumbledore and Grindelwald used to date though? So, what is this movie even going to be?,” another user wrote. 

“If it isn’t obvious by now: Rowling said Dumbledore was gay those years ago purely to try and avoid backlash for not having enough diversity. She never said anything about it in the actual series, and now won’t again in Fantastic Beasts,” another user posted. 

The backlash has prompted Rowling to snap back on Twitter, writing:

“Being sent abuse about an interview that didn’t involve me, about a screenplay I wrote but which none of the angry people have read, which is part of a five-movie series that’s only one instalment in, is obviously tons of fun, but you know what’s even *more* fun?,” Rowling posted, followed by a video of someone pressing a mute button.  

This is the second time the author has had to defend controversy surrounding the film. Last year the casting of Johnny Depp as Grindelwald caused criticism from some fans as the actor was accused of domestic violence from his former wife, Amber Heard. Rowling released a statement on the issue, saying:

“Based on our understanding of the circumstances, the filmmakers and I are not only comfortable sticking with our original casting, but genuinely happy to have Johnny playing a major character in the movies.”

You can read Rowling’s statement in full here. 

Images: Twitter / Warner Bros.