Newt Scamander’s suitcase is about to fly open come 17th November when “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” hits theatres nationwide.
Set 70 years before Harry Potter was born, audiences all over the world are about to be introduced to another hero in the form of British wizard Newt Scamander as he travels to New York City only to get swept up in a series of magic and mayhem.
The official synopsis is as follows:
“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” opens in 1926 as Newt Scamander has just completed a global excursion to find and document an extraordinary array of magical creatures. Arriving in New York for a brief stopover, he might have come and gone without incident… were it not for a No-Maj (American for Muggle) named Jacob, a misplaced magical case, and the escape of some of Newt’s fantastic beasts, which could spell trouble for both the wizarding and No-Maj worlds.”
“Fantastic Beasts” will be introducing a whole cast of new characters for us to hopefully come to know and love. In the meantime, feel free to dive right into these character posters that reveal a little bit about their respective backgrounds and what they might mean.
1. Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne)
J.K. Rowling’s new hero is Newt Scamander, a former Hogwarts student – Hufflepuff to be exact – who was expelled for endangering human lives with a beast. As a lifelong advocate for magical creatures, he now travels around the world as a Magizoologist, finding and documenting the wizarding world’s many beasts.
He often travels around with a case, containing the creatures he’s rescued along the way. Described as an outsider and a bit awkward, it’s no surprise that the wizard is more at ease with creatures than socialising with his fellow wizards and witches.
2. Jacob Kowalski (Dan Fogler)
Jacob Kowalski is what you call a No-Maj (American for Muggle). He works in a cannery but has dreams of becoming a baker one day. Unsuccessful in getting a loan, Kowalski is left defeated but everything changes when he meets Newt Scamander and his menagerie of magical beasts. Nothing will prepare him for an adventure beyond his wildest dreams.
3. Tina Goldstein (Katherine Waterston)
Porpentina Goldstein — that’s Tina for short — is an intelligent and strong-willed witch who resides in New York and works for MACUSA (Magical Congress of the United States of America). She was once an Auror but got downgraded to a boring desk job (under the wand permit division) after overstepping her duties when she used unauthorised magic. Desperate to take on the role as an investigator again, she comes face to face with Scamander.
4. Queenie Goldstein (Alison Sudol)
A total opposite from her sister’s character, Queenie is Tina’s vivacious and slightly quirky younger sister. Queenie is perfectly content working alongside Tina in the wand permit department at MACUSA. In fact, the free-spirited witch would prefer if she didn’t have to work at all. Queenie also happens to be a Legilimens, meaning she has the ability to read minds.
5. Seraphina Picquery (Carmen Ejogo)
Seraphina became the president of MACUSA in 1920. Known for being a powerful and formidable witch, her aim is to maintain the secrecy of the American wizarding community.
“I’m left-handed actually, naturally, but I know that that’s a very magical trait. I’d be thought of as a witch years ago. So I wanted to really emphasise my left hand and I thought we could put rings on it,” said Carmen Ejogo. Her wand is made up of Swamp mayhaw with a Rougarou hair core. It is coloured purple with a jewel beset in it.
6. Mary Lou Barebone (Samantha Morton)
Mary Lou Barebone is an American No-Maj and also the outspoken leader of the New Salem Philanthropic Society (NSPS aka the Second Salemers). Hellbent on exterminating all magic, Mary Lou wants to destroy all witches and wizards. She is assisted by her 3 adoptive children – 2 daughters, Chastity and Modesty, and a son, Credence – who “all live in fear of her wrath”.
7. Credence Barebone (Ezra Miller)
As the only son of Mary Lou, Credence “appears withdrawn, extremely shy and far more vulnerable than his 2 sisters”. Living under the abuse of his adoptive mother has made him susceptible to the manipulation of Percival Graves, who takes a personal interest in this young chap.
Take a closer look at the image above and you’ll notice a wanted poster of both Newt Scamander and Jacob Kowalski, claiming that the duo are wanted for committing bank robbery.
8. Percival Graves (Colin Farrell)
As the Director of Magical Security of MACUSA, Percival Graves is one of the highest-ranking wizarding officials in New York. Having been tasked at investigating and tracking down Scamander when magical creatures escaped his suitcase, he is suspicious that Scamander had broken the American wizarding world’s most important law: the Statute of Secrecy.
Wait a second, isn’t that a dangling necklace with the Deathly Hallows symbol on it? Does it mean that the mysterious Auror is somehow connected to the Hallows? Or does the necklace hint at something more sinister?
BONUS:
9. Gnarlak (Ron Perlman)
Gnarlak, a goblin gangster, runs a magical speakeasy called The Blind Pig. Newt Scamander visited his base in search for information but the 2 couldn’t reached a settlement when negotiating the payment in exchange for his help. Gnarlak wanted Scamander’s favourite Bowtruckle, Picket, who can pick locks. Spot the green twig-like creature in the lower left corner.
While we patiently wait for the highly-anticipated movie to hit cinemas, watch the final trailer here:
“Fantastic Beasts & Where To Find Them” will premiere in cinemas on 17th November 2016.
Sources: Entertainment Weekly, Hello Magazine, The Fan Carpet.
