As with Harry Potter, it seems that after a comparatively simple first instalment the world of Fantastic Beast is going to grow and become far more complex with its second instalment (there are five films planned in total). It will also be more directly linked to the Potter adventures with the inttroduction of Jude Law’s young Dumbledore, and an exploration of his battle with the evil Grindelwald which we heard about in Rowling’s book, but were given few details about.

Those links are underlined in the first trailer for Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, which opens at Hogwarts while Law was just a teacher. Take a look at the trailer and poster for the movie below.

Here’s the synopsis: ‘At the end of the first film, the powerful Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald (Johnny Depp) was captured by MACUSA (Magical Congress of the United States of America), with the help of Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne). But, making good on his threat, Grindelwald escaped custody and has set about gathering followers, most unsuspecting of his true agenda: to raise pure-blood wizards up to rule over all non-magical beings.

‘In an effort to thwart Grindelwald’s plans, Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) enlists his former student Newt Scamander, who agrees to help, unaware of the dangers that lie ahead. Lines are drawn as love and loyalty are tested, even among the truest friends and family, in an increasingly divided wizarding world.

‘The film features an ensemble cast led by Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, Ezra Miller, with Jude Law and Johnny Depp. The cast also includes, Zoë Kravitz, Callum Turner, Claudia Kim, William Nadylam, Kevin Guthrie, Carmen Ejogo, and Poppy Corby-Tuech.’

The film will be in cinemas on November 16th. [Read more…]