7 Upcoming Movies That Will Change How You See Iconic Characters

Truly iconic fictional characters stand the test of time, rarely change much from one generation to the next, and will go on to outlive us all.

Take Superman for example. He's been around since the '30s and always been the epitome of clean-cut good guy, a quality that's celebrated among his undying fanbase.

The many who cherish the character have a fixed idea about how he should be portrayed and changing that takes some doing, but it is possible.

A prequel or sequel which expands on pop culture mythology in meaningful ways while staying true to everything the property stands for usually does it. If a movie can pull this off, the fans will add what it's peddling to their perception of said characters.

Some films, however, change the way people see famous characters in a less than positive way: from the ill-advised reboots which reinvent them as something horrible, to the unnecessary sequels that tarnish legacies. Indiana Jones, for instance, had his reputation crushed beneath a nuke-proof fridge.

These trends are set to continue, as there are a number of movies in the pipeline which are bound to alter the way the audience views some of the medium's most famous heroes and villains, for good and for evil.

Harry Potter fans traditionally see Dumbledore as a grandfatherly mentor figure, although they know there's more to him than that. He's the only wizard Voldemort ever feared, and it isn't difficult to figure out why when you see him in action.

The Hogwarts headmaster comes across like an incorruptible force of good, but there's darkness and tragedy in his past which could compromise that image when it comes to light in the upcoming prequel Fantastic Beasts 2 and its follow-ups.

In his youth, Dumbledore was in awe of his friend and fellow revolutionary Gellert Grindelwald, and was ready to take part in a wizard uprising that would have forced muggles into subservience for the 'greater good'.

Once introduced to Jude Law's younger version of the character, the fans will realise Dumbledore wasn't always a source of infinite wisdom and benevolence. He was once flawed, impressionable, and strayed dangerously close to dark territory, albeit from a place of love.

The professor is a guarded and private man throughout most of the Harry Potter series, and the Fantastic Beasts films will shed light on why by fleshing out his relationship with his sister, Ariana, and highlighting her tragic fate.

Ariana was killed during a three-way dual between Dumbledore, his brother Aberforth, and Grindelwald, an event which played a major role in shaping the rest of his life.

During the course of the Fantastic Beasts series, fans will come to realise just how close Albus came to being seduced by ambition and desire, and the price he paid for flirting with these volatile forces.