Zavvi Albus Dumbledore Wand (Product Review)

If I possessed the Elder Wand, what would I use it for? 

I pondered this question recently as I received Albus Dumbledore's wand from Zavvi.

Albus's wand arrived in two boxes. The first box is black with a glossy finish and protects the purple wand holder with a matte-like finish.  There's an oval cut-out in the black box to show off the reflective seal with Dumbledore's name and Hogwarts inscription underneath. Most wand boxes are plain without much extra detailing, so this was a nice surprise. The latter box also contains a strip of soft padding as well as a cut-out mold to hold the wand.

As a recreation from the wands in the films, the resin design is identical. Zavvi's wand fits the quality of wands that I look for - playful to not feel like it's going to break but sturdy to carry with me to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter or put on display. The wand is about 15 1/2 inches long, and the structure is strong enough to not bend and has a steady weight from the handle to the tip.

One small attention-to-detail that makes a huge difference is the metal clasp stand with keyring plaque. Dumbledore's rounded handle makes the length of the wand unbalanced when displayed horizontally. The metal clasp sits snuggly on the wand's tip to hold it up. I wish my other wands had this accessory because it creates such a smooth display on my bookshelf.

I've mostly bought wands at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme parks or had custom wands made. I didn't quite know what to expect receiving one from an official retailer. I'm happy to say it does not disappoint - not only does it feel like I bought it at Ollivanders, but Zavvi's wands comes with a few extra perks I wish were available elsewhere.

Overall, I'm so happy that Zavvi extended to send me Albus Dumbledore's wand. It's a welcome and exciting addition to my collection. Please check out more photos below of the case, wand, and stand.

Please Note: I received this wand from Zavvi in exchange for a review. Opinions are my own. I do not receive commission if you click on any of the links in this post. If you'd like to send me a product to review, check out my work with me page. Thank you for supporting my site!

7 Underrated Scenes I Loved from Fantastic Beasts: Crimes of Grindelwald

Warner Bros. Pictures

Fantastic Beasts and The Crimes of Grindelwald was met with division within the fanbase of J.K. Rowling's wizarding world. The spin-off has three more movies to go with so much more story and character development to explore. While there are understandably reasons to disagree or question big changes to the series, there is also still plenty more meaningful, charming, and shocking moments to love.

Here are seven underrated scenes to love about the Fantastic Beasts sequel. This post contains spoilers, so don't move forward reading this post if you haven't seen the film. Otherwise I hope you enjoy the post! 

Which scenes do you love from this latest adventure in the wizarding world? Feel free to share in the comments below!

Spoiler-Filled Gif Reactions to Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald

Photo Credit: Warner Bros Pictures

After waiting two years for Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them's highly anticipated sequel, the latest installment leaves us with so much to wrap our heads around. Seriously, there's so many details and moments that take Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald to the next level, it's difficult to talk about the movie without spoiling everything. Even though it's important to #ProtectTheSecrets with fans who haven't seen it yet, I've made a safe space for all the feels that this movie conjures. Because there is a cauldron's worth and thensome. Beware - behind the cut there are a ton of spoilers! Here are all of my reactions to some of the biggest scenes from J.K. Rowlings and Warner Bros's latest installment! What did you think of some of these scenes? Feel free to share in the comments below!

3 Not-So-Important Questions the Fantastic Beasts Franchise Has to Answer

Photo Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

Dark and difficult times lie ahead for the beloved Newt Scamander and his friends in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald as Dumbledore's battle against Grindelwald's rise to power continues to strengthen. Before the line between good vs evil begins to divide our wizarding companions in the latest sequel, there are a few not-so-serious questions that I'd love for the series to answer over the next few films. What moments in Harry Potter or Fantastic Beasts history you'd love to see come to live in the spin-off? Let me know in the comments below! (This post is spoiler-free of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald!)

Official Teaser for “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald” Has Been Released!

Friends, it's time to return to Fantastic Beasts to see familiar faces and go on new adventures! Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald has finally been revealed with the official teaser trailer!

Eddie Redmayne returns as the loveable, nurturing magizoologist Newt Scamander in the second of projected five films. Writer J.K. Rowling pens the screenplay where the Hufflepuff is reuniting with a familiar face Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) and a new foe Gellert Grindelwald (Johnny Depp).

#WandsReady, witches and wizards? Let's take a look!


From the official press release:

Warner Bros. Pictures’ “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald” is the second of five all new adventures in J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World™.

At the end of the first film, the powerful Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald (Johnny Depp) was captured by MACUSA (Magical Congress of the United States of America), with the help of Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne). But, making good on his threat, Grindelwald escaped custody and has set about gathering followers, most unsuspecting of his true agenda: to raise pure-blood wizards up to rule over all non-magical beings.

In an effort to thwart Grindelwald’s plans, Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) enlists his former student Newt Scamander, who agrees to help, unaware of the dangers that lie ahead. Lines are drawn as love and loyalty are tested, even among the truest friends and family, in an increasingly divided wizarding world.

The film features an ensemble cast led by Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, Ezra Miller, with Jude Law and Johnny Depp. The cast also includes, Zoë Kravitz, Callum Turner, Claudia Kim, William Nadylam, Kevin Guthrie, Carmen Ejogo, and Poppy Corby-Tuech.

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald is directed by David Yates, from a screenplay by J.K. Rowling. The film is produced by David Heyman, J.K. Rowling, Steve Kloves and Lionel Wigram. This epic sequel is slated for release on November 16, 2018! 

  What were your favorite parts of the teaser? Are you excited for the Crimes of Grindelwald?

Fantastic Beasts Director Hints Dumbledore's Homosexuality Might Not Be Addressed

After Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was published in 2007, fans were excited by author J.K. Rowling's announcement that she had always thought of the beloved Hogwarts headmaster Dumbledore as gay. Quickly following the revelation that Dumbledore had a complicated relationship with Gellert Grindelwald in their youth, some realized his sexuality wasn't explicitly canon throughout the series.

Given that representation is becoming more important than ever in marginalized communities, the recent news that Dumbledore's identity might be concealed in the next Fantastic Beasts installment is not something Harry Potter fans are or should be expected to be happy about.

In an exclusive interview with Entertainment Weekly, director David Yates had this to say about this year’s sequel addressing Dumbledore's relationship with Grindelwald:

“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.”

Though Yates believes fans were aware that Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald might not address Dumbledore's sexuality, his semi-confirmation comes as news to those who have been waiting for this part of the character's past to no longer be read between the lines its due.

Backlash from fans spurred Rowling, who serves as screenwriter for the Fantastic Beasts series, to respond:

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? pic.twitter.com/Rj6Zr8aKUk

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) January 31, 2018

When previously questioned whether or not Dumbledore's sexuality would come up in the franchise, Rowling said at a press conference for the first film:

I can’t tell you everything I would like to say because this is – obviously – a five-part story, so there’s lots to unpack in that relationship. I will say that you will see Dumbledore as a younger man and quite a troubled man. Because he wasn’t always this age. He was always very clever, and he was what… we’ll see what I think is an informative period of his life. As far as his sexuality is concerned, watch this space.

In wake of the disappointment, some are trying to contend on how or when Dumbledore's sexuality may be given its proper treatment. For one, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald is only the first of four sequels to come out. Yates comments for the film may only apply to this next sequel. However, it seems fruitless that a gay character won't be inherently gay throughout his life, a casting call for younger actors to portray Dumbledore and Grindelwald might also hint that their relationship will come full circle at a later time in another subsequent film.

Given the fact that the series has both characters to use at their disposal, it seems like a waste and a disservice to keep their romance entirely in the closet. I'll be watching The Crimes of Grindelwald space indeed for any developments.

What do you think of Dumbledore's sexuality in the Fantastic Beasts movies? How or when do you think it should be explored?