When
a massive franchise comes to a conclusion, the studio tries desperately to find
the next big thing to fill that empty slot, and in this case when the Harry
Potter franchise ended, Warner Bros tried to find “the next Harry Potter.” Well
they tried but didn’t succeeded, so it now seems that author J.K. Rowling and
Warner are going to create a new “Harry Potter-inspired” franchise.
Warner
announced today that they are re-teaming with the author on “a new film series
from Rowling’s world of witches and wizards”, which is based on Rowling’s Fantastic
Beasts and Where to Find Them, which is set in New York, 70 years prior to the
events of Harry Potter.
This
project will be Rowling’s first attempt at screenwriting, and if successful, Fantastic
Beasts and Where to Find Them will be the first film of the new franchise.
The
movie will focus on the mysterious Newt Scamander, the author of the textbook “Fantastic
Beasts and Where to Find Them”
So
is it a prequel to Harry Potter? No says Rowling:
“Although
it will be set in the worldwide community of witches and wizards where I was so
happy for seventeen years, ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’ is neither
a prequel nor a sequel to the Harry Potter series, but an extension of the
wizarding world,” said Rowling. “The laws and customs of the hidden magical
society will be familiar to anyone who has read the Harry Potter books or seen
the films, but Newt’s story will start in New York, seventy years before
Harry’s gets underway.”
Press
Release:
Warner
Bros. Entertainment today announced an expanded creative partnership with
world-renowned, best-selling author J.K. Rowling. At the center of the
partnership is a new film series from Rowling’s world of witches and wizards,
inspired by Harry Potter’s Hogwarts textbook “Fantastic Beasts and Where to
Find Them” and the adventures of the book’s fictitious author, Newt Scamander.
The announcement was made by Kevin Tsujihara, Chief Executive Officer, Warner
Bros. Entertainment.
“Fantastic
Beasts and Where to Find Them” will be an original story and will mark
Rowling’s screenwriting debut. It is planned as the first picture in a new film
series. Set in the wizarding world, the story will feature magical creatures
and characters, some of which will be familiar to devoted Harry Potter fans.
“Although
it will be set in the worldwide community of witches and wizards where I was so
happy for seventeen years, ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’ is neither
a prequel nor a sequel to the Harry Potter series, but an extension of the
wizarding world,” said Rowling. “The laws and customs of the hidden magical
society will be familiar to anyone who has read the Harry Potter books or seen
the films, but Newt’s story will start in New York, seventy years before
Harry’s gets underway.”
“We
are incredibly honored that Jo has chosen to partner with Warner Bros. on this
exciting new exploration of the world of wizardry which has been tremendously
successful across all of our businesses,” said Tsujihara. “She is an
extraordinary writer, who ignited a reading revolution around the world, which
then became an unprecedented film phenomenon. We know that audiences will be as
excited as we are to see what her brilliant and boundless imagination conjures
up for us.”
In
addition to the film series, “Fantastic Beasts” will also be developed across
the Studio’s video game, consumer products and digital initiatives businesses,
including enhanced links with Pottermore.com, Rowling’s digital online
experience built around the Harry Potter stories.
The
Studio’s expanded partnership with Rowling also covers the continued expansion
of its Harry Potter activities, including the wonderful Wizarding World of
Harry Potter theme parks in conjunction with partner Universal Parks and
Resorts (currently in Orlando, FL; opening in Hollywood, CA and Osaka, Japan),
digital initiatives (including Pottermore), video games, consumer products and
visitor attractions.
In
addition, Warner Bros. will serve as the worldwide TV distributor (excluding
the U.K.) of J.K. Rowling’s upcoming television adaptation for the BBC of “The
Casual Vacancy,” her best-selling first novel aimed at adult audiences. This
miniseries begins production in 2014.
The
relationship will be managed in London by Neil Blair of The Blair Partnership, Rowling’s
literary agency, and Josh Berger, President & Managing Director, Warner
Bros. UK, Ireland and Spain, who will serve as Warner Bros.’ chief business
contact for all J.K. Rowling initiatives going forward.
Rowling’s
expanded quote regarding “Fantastic Beasts” is below:
“It
all started when Warner Bros. came to me with the suggestion of turning
‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’ into a film. I thought it was a fun
idea, but the idea of seeing Newt Scamander, the supposed author of ‘Fantastic
Beasts,’ realized by another writer was difficult. Having lived for so long in
my fictional universe, I feel very protective of it and I already knew a lot
about Newt. As hard-core Harry Potter fans will know, I liked him so much that
I even married his grandson, Rolf, to one of my favourite characters from the
Harry Potter series, Luna Lovegood.
As I
considered Warners’ proposal, an idea took shape that I couldn’t dislodge. That
is how I ended up pitching my own idea for a film to Warner Bros.
Although
it will be set in the worldwide community of witches and wizards where I was so
happy for seventeen years, ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’ is neither
a prequel nor a sequel to the Harry Potter series, but an extension of the
wizarding world. The laws and customs of the hidden magical society will be
familiar to anyone who has read the Harry Potter books or seen the films, but
Newt’s story will start in New York, seventy years before Harry’s gets
underway.
I
particularly want to thank Kevin Tsujihara of Warner Bros. for his support in
this project, which would not have happened without him. 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.”
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