Warner Bros will return to the world of Harry Potter in the new series FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM and will do so under the leadership of a familiar director. David Yates, who helmed the last four films in the wizarding franchise has been tapped to direct the spin-off/prequel film.
The Hollywood Reporter says that Yates is in negotiations to helm the film, but I would think this is a no-brainer for everyone involved. Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling is writing the screenplay for the film which will be set 70 years before HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCEROR’S STONE. The film will take place in New York and center on Newton Artemis Fido Scamander, author of the titular textbook on the magical creatures that populate the fictional world of witchcraft and wizardry.
Yates is currently filming TARZAN with TRUE BLOOD’S Alexander Skarsgard, Christoph Waltz, and Margot Robbie for Warner Bros. I would assume that with an already announced release of 2016 that FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM would begin as soon as that project wraps. This spin-off represents a big deal for Warner Bros as they continue to expand the Harry Potter series in any way possible. If it were not for the involvement of Rowling and now Yates, I am not as sure I would be comfortable with the project, but I trust they will make it a legitimate film and not a greedy cash grab.
Now, let the casting begin!