Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

JK Rowling's Harry Potter spin-off to be made into film trilogy

'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them' to get three films

Jess Denham
Monday 31 March 2014 14:22 BST
Comments
Emma Watson, Rupert Grint and Daniel Radcliffe in the Harry Potter films
Emma Watson, Rupert Grint and Daniel Radcliffe in the Harry Potter films (AP)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Harry Potter author JK Rowling is to make three movies based on her Hogwarts spin-off, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

Kevin Tsujihara, CEO at Warner Bros, told the New York Times last week that fans can expect a trilogy about "magizoologist" Newt Scamander after he persuaded the writer to adapt the book.

Published in 2001 and set in New York 70 years before Harry and co come onto the scene, the magical creatures guide was one of the school of witchcraft and wizardry's textbooks.

Rowling has described it as an "extension" of Potter's fantastical world.

"(Tsujihara and I) had one dinner, a follow-up telephone call, and then I got out the rough draft that I'd thought was doing to be an interesting bit of memorabilia for my kids and started rewriting," she said.

"I always said that I would only revisit the wizarding world if I had an idea that I was really excited about and this is it."

The project was first announced in September 2013, with David Heyman (Harry Potter, Gravity) attached to produce. A director and cast have yet to be confirmed.

Rowling wrote Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them for Comic Relief between the publication of the fourth and fifth Harry Potter novels. Other spin-offs have included Quidditch Through the Ages and The Tales of Beedle the Bard.

Starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, the Harry Potter films raked in an estimated £4.6 billion at the box office to become the highest-grossing film franchise in history.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in