By Armando
Warner Bros.
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, that’s the official title of the second installment to J.K. Rowling’s five-part fantasy drama movie franchise.
An extension of the Harry Potter wizarding universe, the first film “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” was released in 2016 and focused on Eddie Redmayne’s character Newt Scamander, the eccentric magizoologist from the Ministry of Magic who was responsible for the capture of dangerous dark wizard Grindelwald.
The character was played by Colin Farrell throughout most of that film while masquerading as Percival Graves, then later near the end by Johnny Depp when the true nature of the character was revealed.
The upcoming installment’s ominous title clearly reveals that focus is shifting towards Grindelwald.
Potter fans would surely remember Grindelwald’s rise as dark wizard during the Dumbledore’s era and how the latter won their duel. With the limited info we have so far, the film’s plot suggest that the new film will see the history of that legendary rivalry.
David Yates is back for directing duties, with a screenplay by J.K. Rowling. The film is produced by David Heyman, J.K. Rowling, Steve Kloves and Lionel Wigram. James Newton Howard is also returning to compose the film’s music.
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald is set to be released Nov. 16, 2018.
Here is part of the film’s premise:
At the end of the first film, the powerful Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald (Depp) was captured by MACUSA (Magical Congress of the United States of America), with the help of Newt Scamander (Redmayne). But, making good on his threat, Grindelwald escaped custody and has set about gathering followers, most unsuspecting of his true agenda: to raise pure-blood wizards up to rule over all non-magical beings.
In an effort to thwart Grindelwald’s plans, Albus Dumbledore (Law) enlists his former student Newt Scamander, who agrees to help, unaware of the dangers that lie ahead. Lines are drawn as love and loyalty are tested, even among the truest friends and family, in an increasingly divided wizarding world.
