Wizards and Muggles alike have been waiting with baited dragon’s breath for more news on the upcoming wizarding adventure Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, and this month their wishes were granted.
With Harry’s story all but finished, the fandom that lived cried out for more from the masterful J.K Rowling and her magical world, and their voice has been heard.
Warner Bros. has gotten an ace team together for this film, which will be directed by David Yates, who did the entire second half of the series (Order of the Phoenix, Half Blood Prince, Deathly Hallows 1&2), and is produced by David Heyman, who produced the entire Potter series, Rowling herself, Steve Kloves (who scripted the previous Potter films), and Lionel Wigram, who executive produced the last four Potter films.
All signs point to Fantastic Beasts having at least the same magical vibe of the previous films. The new logo gives a hint at the return of the magical world we know, with similar lettering, though the tail of a beast replaces the well-known lightning bolt of the Potter era. Since Rowling has never before delved into the magical community on this side of the pond, there will no doubt be many surprises. She has already hinted on Twitter about an American wizarding school, and the importance of native cultures within the local magical community.
For muggles out there, or NoMaj, as we’ve learned wizards say on this side of the pond, Fantastic Beasts will tell the story of Newt Scamander (Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne), famed Magizoologist and writer of required reading at Hogwarts Fantastic Beasts and Where to find Them.
Set in New York, City USA, circa 1926, Scamander has journeyed to the states for undisclosed reasons, carrying with him an enchanted leather case that is, as one might expect from any self-respecting wizard, bigger on the inside. The talented wizard is in for a chilly welcome, as it turns out that the Salem Witch Trials may have been more than miscommunication and mass hysteria, and the magical community is not only underground, but in constant fear of discovery. So, how is Scamander going to handle the Wiz-phobic Americas? Especially when the contents of his case, which of course are living, escape on the streets of New York.
Beyond the most basic outline of a plot, the tale to be told on movie screens worldwide next November 16th is as secret at the contents of Snape’s private chambers. This month’s EW cover story did unveil costumes and locations, and the fanosphere has been breaking down the backgrounds in the images for more clues, their cover image has been especially exciting for fans, taken inside of the Magical Congress of the United States of America (or MACUSA), the American version of the Ministry of Magic that’s housed inside the Woolworth Building in the film. Seems American wizards can be every bit as fancy as their U.K counterparts.
The film will also star Katherine Waterston, Alison Sudol, Ezra Miller, Dan Fogler, Colin Farrell, Jenn Murray, Jon Voight, Carmen Ejogo, Gemma Chan and newcomer Faith Wood-Blagrove. It was also announced this month that Ron Perlman would join the cast, though there is no word yet on whether or not he will be masked. He’d make a pretty great werewolf, just saying.
For fans in the U.K it won’t be necessary to wait quite as long for new magic. Writer Jack Thorne (The Fades) has penned a play based on an original story by Rowling. Set to begin previews June 2016 at the Palace Theatre in London. The play, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Parts 1&2, will tell a tale of the boy who lived, and just what that means 19 years later for Harry, and for his children. The play will be directed by John Tiffany, and Rowling considers the story to be Harry Potter canon.
Official Synopsis:
It was always difficult being Harry Potter and it isn’t much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband and father of three school-age children.
While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places
No word yet on plans for the play here in the states.
Are you looking forward to more for Rowling’s wizarding world? we’re sure Hagrid is. Tell us what you think in the comments below, or visit Grizzly Bomb’s Facebook page. Catch up on past Harry Potter news here.
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