Nicolas Flamel Explained: Who Is The Ancient Harry Potter And ... - IGN

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Original ShowsPopularTrailersGameplayAll VideosFantastic Beasts: The Crimes of GrindelwaldHarry Potter and the Sorcerer's StoneNicolas Flamel Explained: Who Is the Ancient Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts Character?

Time to meet a wizarding celebrity.

By Jesse SchedeenPosted: Nov 15, 2018 11:32 pmWith the release of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald happening this week, a character known to fans of the books has now made his live-action debut after showing up in the trailer for the film this past summer. While the trailer mostly focused on characters like Newt Scamander, Dumbledore and Grindelwald, it also offered a glimpse of this fellow who's been referenced several times in Harry Potter lore - Nicolas Flamel.Assuming you're not a hardcore Potter fanatic, you might not understand the significance of Flamel's cinematic debut. Here's everything you need to know about this supporting character and why he matters so much to the Harry Potter/Fantastic Beasts mythos. Watch our Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald review above.

Nicolas Flamel Explained: The Basics

The Nicolas Flamel character is based on a real-life person. The real Flamel lived in 14th Century France and worked as a scribe and manuscript seller. After his death, rumors began to circulate that he had unlocked the secrets of alchemy and created the Philosopher's Stone capable of transmuting ordinary metals into gold. Supposedly, Flamel also unlocked the key to immortality. These rumors were sparked in part because a group of treasure hunters dug up his grave and reportedly found it to be empty.

Essentially, the Harry Potter universe presumes these rumors to be true. In this fantasy franchise, Flamel has survived for hundreds of years and is the safekeeper of the Philosopher's Stone (or the Sorcerer's Stone, as it's known in the American versions). Flamel is an ally of Dumbledore and a key figure in the battles against the dark wizard Voldemort.

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Nicolas Flamel's Story in the Books

Despite his importance in the wizarding world, Flamel never actually appeared in the Harry Potter books. However, his back-story is revealed in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, as well as through supplemental material on author J.K. Rowling's Pottermore website.

Flamel attended the French school Beaubaxtons Academy of Magic in the 14th Century, quickly discovering that he had a flair for alchemy. It's there that he met his future wife Perenelle (also inspired by the historical figure). At some point in his alchemical career, Flamel created the Philosopher's Stone, an enchanted rock capable of both turning metal into gold and generating a substance called the Elixir of Life. He and Perenelle both regularly consumed the elixir, allowing them to survive well into the 20th Century. Rowling has never revealed whether Flamel also used the stone to inflate his personal wealth, but he did amass an impressive fortune that he used to help fund Beaubaxtons.

Flamel struck up a friendship with Hogwarts professor Albus Dumbledore in the 20th Century, one so well-known that it was even referenced on Dumbledore's Chocolate Frog trading card. Eventually, Flamel and Dumbledore learned that Voldemort had survived his apparent death on the night he tried to murder Harry Potter, and also that Voldemort was attempting to steal the Philosopher's Stone to restore himself to full power. Realizing the danger the stone posed to the world, Flamel and his wife agreed to give it up and finally bring an end to their long lives. Flamel finally died at the ripe old age of 690, content in knowing he had done his part to stop Voldemort's return.

Nicolas Flamel: Movie Mentions

As with the books, Flamel has yet to actually appear in the Harry Potter movies. He's mentioned in the Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone movie, as Harry and his friends learn more about the ancient wizard and the true nature of the stone. Flamel is also mentioned in the video game adaptation of the movie and is featured in the Harry Potter Trading Card Game.Flamel is finally appearing in the flesh in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, where he's played by Brontis Jodorowsky. The trailer suggests that Flamel will be a key ally in Newt's quest to stop Grindelwald from starting a magical war. Interestingly, the books never mentioned Flamel's role in battling Grindelwald, only his successor Voldemort. It remains to be seen just how big a part Flamel has to play in this growing conflict.

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