David Yates addresses directing more Fantastic Beasts movies

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

Helming five of the nine movies in the HARRY POTTER universe is no easy feat, as director David Yates knows all too well. There’s handling the large casts and sets, all on top of ensuring the die-hard fans won’t egg his house any time soon. It can all be very stressful, so the question of will the man continue bringing us into the wizarding world for more adventures is one worth asking.

While speaking with THR, Yates (who took on 5-8 of the POTTER saga, and the upcoming FANTASTIC BEASTS) was asked if he plans to return for all five of the planned BEASTS movies, and from the sound of it he's down like a magical clown:

“I love making films, and I’ve got a great team, all of whom are like family.”

…for now:

“I only look at it movie-to-movie.”

This applies more to the third, fourth and fifth movies, as Yates is currently in preproduction for the second film. Considering that film will be getting under way soon, there probably won’t be much time to find a new director even if Yates decided not to return, especially one that could gel with the established group including Yates, author J.K. Rowling, producer David Heyman and POTTER saga screenwriter (sans ORDER OF THE PHOENIX) Steve Kloves. In fact, the team all had input on the script, taking it from slightly muddled, to dark and gritty, then injecting a bit of light back in:

“The first draft was quite whimsical and lyrical, but it felt it didn’t have any heft, and we weren’t sure what it was about. Then Jo took a left turn, and it was right up my street: It was really intense and dark. Jo and I loved it, but David Heyman and Steve Kloves very wisely said, ‘Whoa, hang on, guys, this needs to get some of the lightness back.’ It was after that dark second draft that Jo suddenly found the melody; then, she was away to the races. It was a struggle to keep up with her because she knew what it was: a balance between light and shade.”

Whatever they did seems to have worked, as the movie looks to be blending a traditional sense of magical whimsy into a dangerous side of the wizarding world we have yet to witness. Reviews for the movie have so far been quite positive, and we ourselves will be able to judge in only a few days. I have so far loved what Yates has done with the series, so it’s hard for me to imagine anyone else being able to bring both the light and the dark out of the world. However the work is stressful, so it would be understandable if he left…but I would probably egg his house if he did. Guy can't catch a break.

FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM finally arrives this Friday, and stay tuned for our own review around then!