fantastic beasts

Warner’s plans for the Potterverse are nothing if not ambitious. Some years after wrapping the final ‘Harry Potter’ movie, the studio embarked on a return to the Wizarding World, this time with a prequel story set in New York City in 1926. That story, of course, was 2016’s ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’, the first in a planned series of five films dealing with (among other backstory elements introduced in J.K. Rowling’s original novels) Gellert Grindelwald’s reign of terror and eventual downfall.

Not content to simply fill in the series’ backstory, ‘Fantastic Beasts’ also took the opportunity to expand of understanding of the world, using its American setting to paint a more in-depth picture of the non-British magical community than ever before. And now its sequels are set to continue that trend. Back in November, it was confirmed that the first sequel, this year’s ‘Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald’ would be set “almost entirely in Paris.” And now, longtime ‘Potter’ franchise director David Yates has confirmed that each of the ‘Fantastic Beasts’ films will follow suit, taking place in a different city, adding that:

“Jo [Rowling]’s already told us where the next one is taking place. It’s very exciting. This is a global story, ultimately. And given that there’s a global audience for this, it’s all the more delightful to take the story to different parts of the world.”

As with any prequel, those familiar with the established backstory can make some educated guesses as to where the tale is going. The real question, of course, lies in the path we take to get there. And given the series ever-changing setting, ‘Fantastic Beasts’ renders that question more literally than most.

Are there any settings you’d like to see future ‘Fantastic Beasts’ films explore? Let us know in the comments and be sure to check back for more news at it becomes available!

Directed by David Yates from a screenplay by ‘Harry Potter’ creator J.K. Rowling, ‘Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald’ stars Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, Johnny Depp, Zoe Kravitz, and Jude Law. The film is scheduled for release on November 16, 2018.