As the resident “Potterhead” of UNIS, I want to clear up the myths shrouding the new movie that is set in the Harry Potter universe– Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, which is currently being filmed. The film is an adaptation of the textbook that was both mentioned in the Harry Potter series, and is/was published to raise funds for Comic Relief.

The movie will be a narrative, with the storyline based on Newt Scamander — the author of the textbook — and his adventures.  Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne plays the main protagonist. The screenplay is written by JK Rowling the author of the Harry Potter series who describes it as “neither a prequel or sequel… but an extension of the Wizarding World”. The film will showcase Newt as he explores and searches for magical beasts. It is being directed by David Yates who also directed “Harry Potter Deathly Hallows Part I & II”. The film will be a trilogy, the first installment to be released on 18 November 2017, the second on 18 November 2018, and the third and final film to be released  on 20 November 2020. The film has already caused some controversy- with many fans displeased with Jo Rowling revealing that the American term for ‘muggle’ (nonmagical person), is ‘No-Maj’ as well as the fact that Jo is not writing a book series, only screenplays. Set in the 1920’s, the movie starts with the setting in New York and the plot will revolve around the tensions between the ‘No-Maj’ and the Wizards.  The trailer will be released on the 15th of December of this year, so stay tuned for more information!

Other things we know so far about the film: (some massive spoilers ahead so if you want to be surprised, stop reading!)

Newt Scamander (Newton Artemis Fido Scamander) is the lead character of the series, a magizoologist who worked at the Ministry of Magic before researching and writing Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find them (the textbook) which was published in 1927. He received an Order of the Merlin, Second Class for his research. He was born in 1897 and his grandson Rolf Scamander eventually marries Luna Lovegood. Newt was not supposed to stay in New York, but the character Jacob somehow caused beasts (magical ones) to escape from Newt’s magical briefcase which forces Newt to stay in New York. The plot is likely to revolve around Newt’s missing beasts and how that affects relations of No-Maj’s and the wizarding community.

Other characters include –

Porpentina Goldstein (Tina) (Katherine Waterson) is Newt’s American love interest who is working for the Magical Congress of America (MACUSA).

Queenie Goldstein (Alison Sudol), Tina’s sister, is a legilimens (a person who can read minds- like Snape and Voldemort).

Mary Lou (Samantha Morton, two-time Oscar nominee), plays a No-Maj who is a supporter and leader of the group (The Second Salemers otherwise known as New Salem Philanthropic Group) who aim to kill wizards in America. She is also the adopted mother of Credence.

Credence (Ezra Miller) (who happened to act alongside Emma Watson as her stepbrother in the “Perks of Being a Wallflower”), who apparently will become a significant character. 

Percival Graves (Colin Farrell), who is an Auror (aka wizarding detective), said to be close to the president of the MACUSA.

Jacob Kowalski (Dan Fogler) is a No-Maj whose encounter with Newt forces Newt to stay in New York.

Modesty (Faith Wood-Blagrove), a child with a mysterious gift.

That’s about all we know so far- I hope you’re just as excited as I am to watch this! It will be fascinating to see how this turns out. To see what it’s like to experience a “Potter” film, 70 years before Harry’s adventures in Hogwarts! In the meantime, learn about all the fantastic, magical beasts of the wizarding world by reading Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander aka J. K. Rowling.

UPDATE: Warner Bros. released the official teaser trailer yesterday. Check it out below!