As far as spinoffs go, I thought FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM was a most welcomed addition to the Harry Potter cinematic franchise. For those who adore the Potterverse, Beasts introduced audience members to a menagerie of whimsical creatures, new charismatic characters, and a magical world far beyond the grounds of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Today, we've learned that principal photography has begun on the yet-untitled sequel. Additionally, alongside returning stars Eddie Redmayne and Johnny Depp, a swarm of other names have been added to the casting list. Not long ago, we'd learned that Jude Law will join the sequel as a young Albus Dumbledore, with Ezra Miller as Credence, Zoe Kravitz as Leta LeStrange, and Callum Turner as Theseus Scamander, Newt's brother, a war hero and Auror. Now, it's being reported that Claudia Kim (AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON) will join the picture as an attraction at a wizarding circus, William Nadylam as a wizard named Yusuf Kama, Ingvar Sigurdsson as a bounty hunter, Olafur Darri Olafsson as Skender, who runs the circus, and Kevin Guthrie as Abernathy, the boss of the Magical Congress of the USA.
The screenplay – written by J.K. Rowling, finds the sequel opening in the year 1927, a few months after Scamander helped to uncover the true identity of Depp's Grindewald. However, the slippery, dark wizard was true to his word and escaped, gathering more followers to his cause as the clock ticked on. This time, it's down to his former friend Albus Dumbledore to stop him, but with the help of former student Scamander. The Fantastic follow-up is poised to be the second film in a series of five and will take place in London and Paris as opposed to New York.
The first sequel to FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM is on schedule for a November 16, 2018 release.