Today there’s been both delight and a lot of eye-rolling in the Harry Potter fandom following a reveal in the new trailer for Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald which brings back a ‘character’ from the Harry Potter novels but in a rather different form. Some love that things weren’t what they appeared (although it may also explain a few things), while others feel the whole thing feels like a rather daft retcon – while a few have even argued it may be sexist or racist. You can decide for yourself by watching below and seeing that something very close to Voldemort wasn’t always as we’ve previously seen it.
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.
‘“Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald” is directed by David Yates, from a screenplay by J.K. Rowling.’ The film will be in cinemas November 16th 2018. Take a look at the new trailer and some character art below. [Read more…]
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.
Press release: ‘Warner Bros. Pictures announces “FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE CRIMES OF GRINDELWALD” as the title of the second of five all new adventures in J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World™. Opening November 16, 2018, the film features an ensemble cast led by Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, Ezra Miller, with Jude Law and Johnny Depp.
It looks like we’re going to meet some of Newt Scamander’s relatives in the second Fantastic Beasts movie, as Variety reports that Callum Turner (Green Room, War & Peace), will play Newt’s brother.
Warner Bros. has revealed that Johnny Depp has signed up to appear in the Fantastic Beasts franchise. It appears they were hoping to keep the news a secret, but following the first press screenings of Fantastic Beasts & Where To Find Them, word slipped out that Depp has a small cameo. That caused Warner to confirm the news and let the world know he’d be getting a much largee role in the sequel.
At one point, Deathly Hallows was the end. Now we’ve got a new Harry Potter play – Cursed Child – playing in London, and the imminent film spin-off, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, is on its way. The latter has now released its final trailer, which looks great – familiar enough to those who love everything Potter, while also promising something new.