The Cast and Crew attend the 'Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them' World Premiere at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center on November 10, 2016 in New York City. (Photo : Getty Images/Michael Loccisano)
"Harry Potter" spinoff "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" have been confirmed to run with five movies, starting with the recent film with Eddie Redmayne at the center. The decision came as a pleasant surprise to many "Harry Potter" fans, and producer David Heyman has the perfect explanation as to why "Fantastic Beasts" should span five more movies.
Heyman revealed in an interview with IGN that the go signal came from "Harry Potter" author J.K. Rowling herself, who knew every facet of Newt Scamander's history and his adventures. "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" was initially thought of as a trilogy, but Rowling thought it best to do it in five movies since the story spans 19 years.
On her part, Rowling promised fans that she is done plotting the story of the film property and that she's sure there's going to be five movies in total.
The first movie is set in 1926 and follows the story of Newt as he retrieves the creatures that have escaped his magical suitcase. It is set in New York City, where Newt meets fellow wizards Porpetina and Queenie Goldstein.
The final film is expected to wrap up in 1945, which is around the time Dumbledore and Grindelwald had their epic duel. Dumbledore and Grindelwald's battle is highly talked-about in the later part of the "Harry Potter" movies. It was revealed that the two wizards were best friends until their relationship fell apart following the death of Dumbledore's sister.
Johnny Depp is already confirmed to play Gellert Grindelwald in the next four films. He made his first appearance as the character in "Fantastic Beasts." Although nothing has been confirmed yet as to the casting for the role of a younger Dumbledore, Jared Harris has been rumored to take on the role, Screen Crush reported.
Aside from being an incredibly talented actor, Harris also seems perfect for the role as his father, Richard Harris, played the older Dumbledore in "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" and "Chamber of Secrets."
"Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them 2" is expected to premiere in theaters in 2018.
