Fantastic Beasts is a series of films inspired by the book, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
It was originally believed that there would only be three films in the series. On 14 October 2016, J. K. Rowling announced that there will actually be five films in the series.[6][7][8]
Titles
- Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them - released on November 18, 2016 with the screenplay released the following day.[3]
- Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald - released on 16 November, 2018[4]
- Film three - set to be released 12 November, 2021, title yet to be revealed.[9]
- Film four - release date (likely to be in 2023) and title yet to be revealed.[7][8]
- Film five - release date (likely to be in 2025) and title yet to be revealed.[7][8]
According to Eddie Redmayne, who said this information came from director David Yates and producer David Heyman, the titles of each film in the series would begin with "Fantastic Beasts and …".[10] This seems to no longer be the case beginning with the second film, which uses a colon instead.
Synopsis
The plot of the first film revolves around Newton Scamander, or commonly known as Newt, a Magizoologist who arrives in New York in December of 1926, to stay for a brief time following a journey around the world to research creatures for his book Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Newt owns a magically-expanded suitcase containing many creatures which No-Maj Jacob Kowalski inadvertently opens. When some of the creatures escape, the situation threatens the secrecy of the Wizarding world and the relationship between the magical and non magical societies in America, which is already in danger due to the New Salem Philanthropic Society. Newt battles to find the creatures with the help of Jacob and Porpentina "Tina" Goldstein before it's too late, with Percival Graves on his tail. The film take place over the course of two days.[11]
The second film is set in Paris in the summer of 1927.[12] It begins to centre around Gellert Grindelwald, who made a brief appearance in the first film and was considered the darkest Wizard of his time. It also features the return of Albus Dumbledore.[7] Leta Lestrange who is described as complicated, damaged and confused is also featured. The film ends with a major victory for Grindelwald.[13]
The third film is going to be set in Rio de Janeiro.[14]
The story of the films will span 19 years,[15] setting the ending on 1945.[16] This places the series within the timeframe of the Global wizarding war.
Production
On 12 September 2013, Warner Bros announced that they would be creating a film based upon the book Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. They also stated that J. K. Rowling would be making her screenwriting debut.[17] Rowling was approached by Warner Bros with the idea to be the screenwriter and she later stated that she could not give up the idea and allow another writer to "realise Newt Scamander".
On 18 October, 2013, David Heyman confirmed that he would be returning as a producer, stating that it was "incredibly exciting".[18]
On 24 March, 2014, The New York Times reported the adaptation of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them will be a trilogy.[19]
On 13 May, 2014, it was announced the first film will be released on 18 November, 2016.[20]
On 6 October, 2014, J. K. Rowling posted on Twitter the cryptic message "Cry, foe! Run amok! Fa awry! My wand won’t tolerate this nonsense."[21] She confirmed the following day that this message was a riddle, and the solution, while not part of the script, was the first sentence of a synopsis of Newt Scamander's story.[22] The anagram was solved later that day, with Rowling confirming the solution of "Newt Scamander only meant to stay in New York for a few hours."[23]
On 15 October, 2014, it was announced by Warner Bros that David Yates would be directing the films and that Steve Kloves would also be producing them. Yates later confirmed that Rowling had also written the screenplay for the second film and had gotten ideas for the third. Heyman went on to confirm that Yates and Kloves had both worked with Rowling on the screenplay.[24]
On 4 June, 2015, Warner Bros confirmed that Eddie Redmayne would be portraying Newt Scamander in the series.[25] The rest of the cast were announced over the next few months, including Katherine Waterston as Porpentina "Tina" Goldstein[26] and Alison Sudol as Queenie Goldstein[27]. Dan Fogler was announced to portray Jacob Kowalski[28] , Ezra Miller as Credence Barebone and Colin Farrell as Percival Graves.
On 17 August, 2015, principal photography began at Warner Bros Studios, Leavesden.[29]
On 4 November 2015, Entertainment Weekly released the first official publicity shots of the film. They included pictures of the production and filming at several sets with characters Newt, Tina, and Queenie.[30]
On 15 December 2015, the announcement trailer and teaser poster were revealed for the first film.[31]
On 1 February 2016, a featurette showing interviews with various cast and crew members were released.[32]
On 7 April 2016, it was officially announced that James Newton Howard had composed the score.[33]
On 10 April 2016, a teaser trailer was released for the first film.[34]
On 19 April 2016, it was announced a batch of new characters had been created for the film. Rowling had also creatively given input on each character and creature.[35] On 26 April 2016, it was announced that the script of the first film would be released in book form on 19 November 2016, one day after the film is released.[3]
On 26 April 2016, it was also announced on Pottermore that the screenplay of the first film will be published in book form.[36]
In preparation for the film series, Rowling began placing new original writings on Pottermore detailing the History of Magic in North America. Beginning in the 1600s with the Salem Witch Trials, she delved into the next few centuries ending in 1920s America which is when the films are set. She also later revealed the American Wizarding school, Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry followed by a new Sorting quiz for the school.[37]
On 3 August 2016, it was announced that the second film will be released on 16 November 2018[4] followed by the third film on 20 November 2020.[5]
On 28 September 2016, the final trailer for the first film was released.[38] On 7 October 2016, they also debuted the first track for the first film along with the titles of the rest of the soundtrack.[39]
On 14 October 2016, J. K. Rowling announced at a special fan screening of the first film in London that there will actually be five films in the series. Rowling stated she always knew there was going to be more than one film and that they "said a trilogy as a kind of placeholder". However, when she plotted out the story she had created, she realised they would need five films to tell it in.[7] David Yates also stated that the second film will be very different from the first film.[7]
On 18 November 2016 the first film, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them premiered.
On 12 April 2017, it was announced that British actor Jude Law will play Young Albus Dumbledore in the second film, the young Hogwarts Transfiguration Professor who shares a complicated history with the series antagonist Gellert Grindelwald, played by Johnny Depp.[40]
In 2020, production of the third film was halted due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, along with superhero film "The Batman". But 11 days before the 26th May, shooting restrictions were limited, but Fantastic Beasts 3 kept closed still.
Recurring Cast
- Eddie Redmayne as Newton "Newt" Scamander
- Katherine Waterston as Porpentina "Tina" Goldstein
- Dan Fogler as Jacob Kowalski
- Alison Sudol as Queenie Goldstein
- Ezra Miller as Credence Barebone
- Carmen Ejogo as Seraphina Picquery
- Kevin Guthrie as Mr Abernathy
- Zoë Kravitz as Leta Lestrange
- Johnny Depp as Gellert Grindelwald
- Jude Law as Albus Dumbledore
- Jessica Williams as Eulalie Hicks
Behind the scenes
- So far, each film introduces a new sub-species of wizard.
- Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them - Obscurial
- Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald - Maledictus
External links
Notes and references
- ↑ Hypable
- ↑ David Heyman confirms he will produce "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" film - SnitchSeeker.com
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Pottermore - Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them screenplay announcement
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Warner Bros. Details Strategic Content Plans at Time Warner Investor Conference - TimeWarner.com
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Collider
- ↑ J.K. Rowling on Twitter: "Five. Not seven. Not three. Five. (Got a feeling this is going to be the new 'not a prequel')".
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 Cosmopolitan - FIVE Fantastic Beasts movies are coming and we cannot breathe
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Fantastic Beasts on Twitter: "@jk_rowling has just confirmed the magic continues in a total of FIVE MOVIES! We can't wait! #FantasticBeasts"
- ↑ https://ew.com/movies/2019/04/29/fantastic-beasts-3-release-date
- ↑ "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Cast Interview with Eddie Redmayne, Ezra Miller"
- ↑ Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Synopsis at Warner Bros website
- ↑ SnitchSeeker - Video: 'Fantastic Beasts' sequel to take place in spring/summer 1928 Paris, says David Yates
- ↑ Bustle - "Who is Leta Lestrange? 'Fantastic Beasts' Is Only The Start For The New Character, Says Director David Yates" 18 November 2016
- ↑ Brazil ‘Better Brace Itself’ For Newt Scamander: J.K. Rowling Finishes ‘Fantastic Beasts 3’!
- ↑ J.K. Rowling on Variety's interview 10 November 2016
- ↑ J.K. Rowling on Twitter - "Our story starts in 1926 and ends in 1945", 21 November 2016
- ↑ Warner Bros, J.K. Rowling Team Up for New 'Harry Potter'-Inspired Film Series"
- ↑ David Heyman confirms he will produce "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" film - SnitchSeeker.com
- ↑ Harry Potter spin-off will be a film trilogy
- ↑ The world of Harry Potter returns to the big screen as WB's FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM drops Nov. 18, 2016
- ↑ Cry, Foe, Run amok! Fa awry! My wand won't tolerate this nonsense - J.K.Rowling's Twitter
- ↑ #helpfulhint The solution is the first sentence of a synopsis of Newt's story. It isn't part of the script, but sets the scene - J.K.Rowling's Twitter
- ↑ @EmyBemy2 YES!!!!!!!!!!!!! People, we have a winner! - J.K.Rowling's Twitter
- ↑ Harry Potter producer: J.K.Rowling's Fantastic Beasts script is wonderful
- ↑ Eddie Redmayne to star in JK Rowling's Fantastic Beasts
- ↑ Katherine Waterston cast as New York witch in JK Rowling's Fantastic Beasts
- ↑ Fantastic Beasts: Alison Sudol joins Eddie Redmayne in Harry Potter Spinoff (EXCLUSIVE)
- ↑ The Telegraph: Jacob Kowalski (Dan Fogler)
- ↑ FantasticBeastsMovies.com - Filming to Begin August 17th
- ↑ "This Week's Cover: Inside the magical world of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" at EW.com
- ↑ Fantastic Beasts Twitter - "The Annoucement Trailer for #FantasticBeasts is here
- ↑ Youtube
- ↑ James Newton Howard to score Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
- ↑ Youtube
- ↑ An Insider's Account of J.K.Rowling's Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
- ↑ J.K. Rowling’s Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them screenplay to be published
- ↑ Pottermore - History of Magic in North America
- ↑ Watch the final Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them trailer
- ↑ Exclusive: Pottermore debuts the main theme from the soundtrack for Fantastic Beasts
- ↑ Jude Law cast as Albus Dumbledore in next Fantastic Beasts film at Pottermore
| J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter series | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philosopher's Stone | book | film | games | film soundtrack | game soundtrack |
| Chamber of Secrets | book | film | games | film soundtrack | game soundtrack |
| Prisoner of Azkaban | book | film | games | film soundtrack | game soundtrack |
| Goblet of Fire | book | film | games | film soundtrack | game soundtrack |
| Order of the Phoenix | book | film | game | film soundtrack | game soundtrack |
| Half-Blood Prince | book | film | games | film soundtrack | game soundtrack |
| Deathly Hallows | book | film 1 | games 1 | film soundtrack 1 | game soundtrack 1 |
| film 2 | games 2 | film soundtrack 2 | game soundtrack 2 | ||
| Cursed Child | script | play | |||
| Fantastic Beasts film series | |||||
| Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them | book | screenplay | film | game | film soundtrack |
| The Crimes of Grindelwald | screenplay | film | film soundtrack | ||
| The Secrets of Dumbledore | screenplay | film | film soundtrack | ||