The “Harry Potter” film franchise is not coming to an end yet because Warner Bros. is currently developing its spin-off series, “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”.
After J.K. Rowling, the author of the famed novel series, completed the script, the studio could be making a casting announcement soon as Eddie Redmayne and Nicholas Hoult are being considered to star in the film.
Set in New York City during the 1920s, the trilogy series is based on the Hogwarts textbook of the same name and it centres on its author and “magiczoologist”, Newt Scamander. The story follows the adventures of Scamander and the magical community in the Big Apple.
Regarding the trilogy, Rowling explained:
Although it will be set in the worldwide community of witches and wizards where I was so happy for 17 years, “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” is neither a prequel nor a sequel to the “Harry Potter” series but an extension of the wizarding world.
No cast members were officially announced yet, but David Yates, the director for the final 4 “Harry Potter” films, is attached to helm the project.
Multiple sources told Variety that the director is said to be considering a few actors for the role as Scamander, but only Eddie Redmayne emerged as the current frontrunner. The “Theory of Everything” star has yet to receive an official offer.
In addition to the casting news, Variety was told that the studio is also looking to cast 4 other main roles of the film, including 2 American girls and 2 American boys. After “X-Men” franchise star Nicholas Hoult joined the cast of Warner Bros’ upcoming “Mad Max: Fury Road“, sources revealed that he was also being considered to play one of the main roles.
J.K. Rowling is making her screenwriting debut on the trilogy, which would be developed across the studio’s digital, consumer-products, and gaming units. The mythical creatures from the book can be found in the “Harry Potter” theme park Diagon Alley. The theme park’s art director suggested that these strange-looking creatures represent the first time that the beasts have ever been visualised.
“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” is expected to start filming next year before it hits theatres on 18th November 2016. Its sequel will be released in 2018 while the final film is slated for release in 2020.
Redmayne will be seen next in Tom Hooper’s “The Danish Girl” while Hoult will reprise his role as the Beast in “X-Men: Apocalypse“.
(Source: Variety)
