Muggles, rejoice: A 'Harry Potter' spin-off movie series is happening
I've got to hand it to J.K. Rowling: The woman knows how to drop a bombshell. On September 12, 2013, muggles far and wide were positively stunned when Rowling and Warner Bros. announced a movie franchise based on Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Wait, what?! Yes, that's correct: Rowling is going to adapt the fictitious Hogwarts textbook for the big screen. The (also fictitious) author, Newt Scamander, will be the central figure, of course, but I'm sure we can expect all manner of magical creatures to appear as well.
For those of you who aren't familiar with Newt Scamander: His grandson, Rolf, married Luna Lovegood. He was a Magizoologist - someone who traveled the world finding fantastical, magical creatures (like hippogriffs) and then compiling his research into a book. That book, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, was required reading for young Harry Potter in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.
I really need to brush up on my Harry Potter information. I've forgotten way too much in the years since I read that first book. Anyway, news that J.K. Rowling would write the screenplay for this Harry Potter-related series set the Internet on fire. My first reaction? I thought it was a joke. I honestly did not think Rowling would return to anything Potter-related this soon, much less launch what could well become a whole new film franchise.
It's happening. You can read the whole statement from J.K. Rowling about Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them on Hypable.com. Once I saw that, I knew this was real. Rowling is quick to point out that this new film is not "a prequel nor a sequel to the Harry Potter series, but an extension of the wizarding world." I don't know about you guys, but I'll take it.
As for casting, well, that's going to be interesting. All sorts of names are surfacing as possible candidates to portray Newt Scamander. The thing is: We know this film will be set in New York, seven decades before the events of the first Harry Potter book, so if I'm figuring this right, Newt would possibly be in his 20s? Heck I have no idea what direction this will go, but I'm not the only one thinking 20s: So is Zap2it.com, as you can see here. They're also suggesting that Chronicles of Narnia star Skandar Keynes and War Horse's Jeremy Irvine are their favorites for the role. Do you agree?
I for one hope the powers that be decide to cast relatively unknown actors in the key roles. Why not start fresh, as they did with the Harry Potter films?
Also, Potter fans, I have to ask: Could we possibly see Albus Dumbledore in this new series? Dare I hope that maybe, just maybe, we could see Gellert Grindelwald and Dumbledore's famous duel? My mind is absolutely spinning with possibilities right now, and I'd love to hear what you all think, too.
Photo courtesy of Empire Online