Since the conclusion of J.K. Rowling’s beloved ‘Harry Potter’ book series, there have been a few ways to keep in touch with the wizarding world. After the movies wrapped up, Pottermore was launched to offer witches and wizards a whole new way to enjoy the novels with all-new material ranging from ancillary character backstories to short stories detailing the post-‘Deathly Hallows’ lives of our heroes. Then Potterheads were given the opportunity to step into Hogwarts, Hogsmeade, and Diagon Alley thanks to the Universal Studios Orlando theme parks. But back in 2013, Warner Bros. announced that they were back in the magic business as they had tapped Rowling to pen the script for ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them,’ a ‘Potter’ spinoff based on a magizoology textbook. However, it appears that our upcoming cinematic adventure with writer/adventurer Newt Scamander in the 1920s won’t be as lengthy as we once thought.
When the talks about the upcoming David Yates film first emerged, there were some rumblings from CEO Kevin Tsujihara that this new film set in the Potterverse (decades before the Boy Who Lived ever existed) could become a brand new tent pole franchise for the studio with three or more films. Although, producer David Heyman derailed this idea in a recent interview with Collider to promote his latest film, ‘Paddington’:
“We’re making just one film, but I believe there’s been talk about it being three. But we’re just talking about it as one.”
Sure Heyman says that now, but just wait until the box office numbers come roaring in like a Hungarian Horntail when that movie comes out next year. After seeing what a draw the ‘Harry Potter’ franchise can still be, I wouldn’t be surprised if they commissioned more movies. Of course, I could be a bit biased because I definitely want to see more stories set in this world, but I don’t think my prediction will be too far off. Until we know for sure what’s going on, check out the rest of the interview in the video below to see what else the producer has to say about the film:
What do you think about ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them’ being scaled back to only one film? Do you think that it’s very likely that more films could be in store after the first one is released? Share your thoughts and theories in the comment section.
‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’ apparates into theaters on November 18, 2016.