Back in February, J.K. Rowling shared that she had finished the first draft of ‘Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them’ in twelve days. With director David Yates now attached, the timeline matches up for the author/first time screenwriter to be just about finished with the latest chapter of the ‘Harry Potter’ movie franchise. Recently, she took to her Twitter to mention her near-completion, but many fans took her update to mean that she was teasing the return of a certain boy wizard.
When news first hit about ‘Fantastic Beasts’ becoming the first spinoff film in the Potterverse, many wondered whether Daniel Radcliffe would return to reprise his role and don the iconic glasses and lightning scar once again. But when it was made known that the film would be a prequel that followed writer Newt Scamander nearly 70 years before Harry was born, most people moved on from the thought. However, the idea has returned thanks to some cryptic tweets from Rowling. Here is the conversation that sparks talks of another cinematic appearance for the Boy Who Lived:
Very busy at the moment working on a novel, tweaking a screenplay and being involved in @lumos campaigns. Back when I’ve finished something!
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) October 5, 2014
.@peruseproject See, now I’m tempted to post a riddle or an anagram. Must resist temptation… must work… — J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) October 5, 2014
Cry, foe! Run amok! Fa awry! My wand won’t tolerate this nonsense.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) October 6, 2014
Something to ponder while I’m away X — J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) October 6, 2014
Moviepilot reports that a Redditor noted that the riddle is an anagram for “Harry returns! Won’t say any details now. A week off. No comment.”, but the writer sent out a couple of tweets that basically debunked that interpretation. Instead, the message is related to the future and the upcoming magical adventure we’ll be embarking on in a couple of years:
“Newt Scamander’s History of New York Fauna: One town, my tale” Warmer.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) October 7, 2014
#helpfulhint The solution is the first sentence of a synopsis of Newt’s story. It isn’t part of the script, but sets the scene.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) October 7, 2014
#Hint2 There’s only one sentence hidden in the anagram, it is written in natural English and it concerns Newt Scamandar. #3hintsreally
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) October 7, 2014
An example of something it doesn’t say: “I brung bick Harry. U gladd. Me go wurcke now. No speak.”
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) October 7, 2014
Of course, this doesn’t mean that Harry could be left out all together. It’s possible that Yates and Rowling could be planning some secret bookend scenes to bring the star of the series back to the big screen similar to what Peter Jackson did with ‘The Hobbit’ trilogy and Elijah Wood. But even if that were the case, that’s not what’s being teased this very minute.
What do you think J.K. Rowling is trying to tell us about ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’ with her message? Do you think Harry Potter will pop up in the movie in some way? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
‘Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them’ apparates into theaters on November 18, 2016.
