The next entry in the “Harry Potter” movie franchise started filming this week — but the project remains mostly cloaked in mystery.
Here’s what is known so far about “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”:
Story details:
- It’s set about 70 years before the “Harry Potter” movies.
- It will be set in America, at least partially.
- The plot follows Newt Scamander, an animal researcher in the witching world.
- It will be part of a trilogy, with other installments set for 2018 and 2020.
Casting details:
- Top-billed stars include Academy Award winner Eddie Redmayne and Colin Farrell.
- Its supporting cast includes Dan Fogler (ABC’s “Secrets and Lies”), Ezra Miller (“The Perks of Being a Wallflower”), Alison Sudol (Amazon’s “Transparent”) and Katherine Waterston (“Inherent Vice”).
- One young actress was selected from an open audition of thousands of kids. Faith Wood-Blagrove, 10, was selected in a fashion similar to Rupert Grint, who played Ron Weasley in the “Harry Potter” films.
Cast members include Ezra Miller, Katherine Waterston and Dan Fogler.
Crew details:
- “Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling wrote the film’s screenplay, a first for her.
- Director David Yates also directed the last four “Harry Potter” movies, starting with 2007’s “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.”
- Producers David Heyman and Steve Kloves were producers on every “Harry Potter” movie, going back to 2001’s “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.”
- The movie will be shot by Oscar-winning cinematographer Philippe Rousselot (“A River Runs Through It”).
Other details:
- The movie is slated to hit theaters — including IMAX and 3D screenings — on Nov. 18, 2016.
- Filming started Aug. 17 at England’s Warner Bros. Studios.
Clint Davis is a writer for the E.W. Scripps National Desk. Follow him on Twitter @MrClintDavis.