Harry Potter’s ‘Fantastic Beasts’ spinoff set for 2016
The big screen adaptation of the Harry Potter spin-off Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them will arrive in cinemas in November 2016.
Warner Bros has confirmed a release date of November 18, 2016 for the film, which is based on a 54-page book written by author JK Rowling in 2001. Casting and a director have yet to be confirmed.
The film is expected to focus on fictional “magizoologist” author Newton Scamander and reports suggest it will be set in New York in about 70 years’ time. This film will be the first in a new trilogy.
David Heyman ,producer on all eight of the Harry Potter films, will act as producer on Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them.
Warner Bros. head Kevin Tsujihara has spoken about getting JK Rowling’s support to adapt the book and start a new chapter in the Wizard universe. He indicated Fantastic Beasts would become a part of studio’s massive merchandising efforts and part of the “Wizarding World of Harry Potter” theme parks. Tsujihara indicated the project reflects the studio’s commitment to projects with high-profile talent.
“The life-blood of the studio is the content,” Tsujihara said at the time. “We’ve had a long, long relationship with Clint Eastwood, Peter Jackson, Chris Nolan, Todd Phillips, Zack Snyder, and you want to make sure you can create a culture where they want to work.”
The eight Harry Potter films grossed $7.7 billion worldwide between 2001 and 2011. Four of the eight opened in mid-November.
