In the past year we’ve spoken a lot about Star Wars. So much so that you might be forgiven for assuming we were unaware of the existence of stories that did not involve the Force. The truth is that as much as we love Star Wars – and we really do – it is just one of our many passions. It just so happened that 2015 was an especially exciting year in the Star Wars universe.
All indications are that 2016 is shaping up to be an equally exciting year in another of our favorite universes, the wizarding world of Harry Potter! Guest blogger Carson Curva takes our first of what promise to be many looks at the coming excitement.
This coming year is going to be explosive for Harry Potter fans. With the theme park expansions coming to fruition, the new London stage play sequel and this new cinematic prequel, Fantastic Beasts, the wizarding world will be getting a much needed update.
Other than some tweets from J.K. Rowling and the launch of the online Pottermore website, the last several years have been very dry for HP fans. Now all of a sudden we’re being hit with a new film series. Its all a bit exciting so here’s a quick overview of what we know so far:
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is set in America in the 1920’s. It stars Eddie Redmayne, last year’s Oscar winner for best actor, Ezra Miller and Colin Farrell, to name a few.
The idea for the film comes from a textbook Harry, Ron and Hermione had to read at Hogwarts called, “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” by a wizard named Newt Scamander. Eddie Redmayne is playing Newt, and based off of the trailer the plot seems to revolve around several magical creatures getting loose in New York City.
Director David Yates is taking the helm of this project and J.K. Rowling herself wrote the screenplay. Yates was the director of the last four Potter movies, so the franchise is in safe hands.
Setting Fantastic Beasts nearly a century before the Harry Potter novels is a uniquely fresh concept for the revisiting of a franchise. Normally a prequel will rely heavily on reoccurring characters to lure fans in to see it. This bold move by the creators allows for virtually no characters from the Potter books to make a cameo. That means one thing: They believe this can stand on its own. We hope they’re right.
Editor’s Note: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them releases nine months from today, November 18th, 2016. That’s plenty of time to reread the original series, and even rewatch the movies! And if that’s not enough Harry to tide you over, a new book based on the stage plays will be available soon. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child – Parts I & II releases July 31st, and is available for pre-order now.