Return to the wizarding world of Harry Potter next November when Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them hits theaters worldwide. We have your first look at this prequel to the blockbuster book and movie franchise courtesy of EW. And it introduces a new character hoping to capture magic, and maybe even a dragon, in a bottle.
Yes, the magic is back! But maybe not quite as you'd expect. The first image from Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them cracks open the mystery behind this exciting adventure held within the Harry Potter universe. Though, there is still much we don't yet know about this fantasy thriller that goes searching for dragons and other magical creatures hiding in our own backyard.
J.K. Rowling, creator of the Harry Potter universe, has shared this first sneak peek herself. She penned the screenplay for Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. And it will be the first original movie she has ever written. Yesterday, we got to see the official logo for this Warner Bros. release. We also got to see a title card with the film's initials. Both of which featured hidden 'beast' iconography.
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is based on J.K. Rowling's own 2001 encyclopedia beastanica, which is used by the students of Hogwarts in identifying all the magical creatures spread throughout the land. This first look photo features star Eddie Redmayne as the main character, world-famous magizoologist Newt Scamander. Here, he is embarking on a marvelous journey through New York City in 1926. This all takes place years before Harry, Hermione and Ron all arrived at their school of Wizardry. Also seen in this image is Newt's pivotal briefcase, which is always by his side.
Look closely and you'll notice that Scamander is standing inside the entrance of the American version of the the Ministry of Magic, the majestic art deco-influenced Magical Congress of the United States of America (or MACUSA). It is housed inside the iconic Woolworth Building. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them also stars Katherine Waterston (Inherent Vice) as Tina and Alison Sudol (Dig, Transparent) as Tina's sister, Queenie, the two female leads of the movie. The supporting cast includes Tony Award winner Dan Fogler (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee) as Jacob; Ezra Miller (Trainwreck) as Credence; two-time Oscar nominee Samantha Morton (In America, Sweet and Lowdown) as Mary Lou; Jenn Murray (Brooklyn) as Chastity; and young newcomer Faith Wood-Blagrove as Modesty. The final addition to the cast is Colin Farrell ("True Detective") as the wizard Graves.
To learn more about Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, be sure to pick up the latest issue of EW. It will reveal more about the story. We'll get to know the characters. And we'll find out just how the movie differs from all the other Harry Potter adventures. We'll also get a sneak peek at the creatures on display. And we'll get a taste of American wizardry. There will also be interviews with the cast and producers, photos from the set, and a while lot more. While we await all that fun stuff, take a look at the this intriguing sneak peek at Eddie Redmayne as Newt Scamander.
