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Tag: harry-potter-spinoff

‘Fantastic Beasts’ Scores Magical $8.75 Million at Thursday Box Office

“Harry Potter” prequel “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” is off to a magical start at the box office, conjuring $8.75 million in Thursday preview receipts.

That number puts the flick, a spinoff set decades before the events of “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” on track to land at the higher end of estimates for its opening weekend tally, with some prognosticators now predicting that it will earn north of $80 million by the end of Sunday. Studio Warner Bros. is keeping its projections conservative for now, putting the flick on pace to pull in about $70 million.

As industry analysts previously noted, “Beasts” isn’t a “Potter” flick, and that unknowable quality makes it hard to judge how the film will perform. It’s unlikely to reach the soaring box office heights of the “Potter” franchise (for comparison, the last film in the series, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” earned $43.5 million in Thursday previews in 2011, ahead of a $169 million opening weekend), but its association with the successful series — not to mention its pedigree, with “Potter” author J.K. Rowling penning the screenplay — certainly doesn’t hurt audience curiosity, either.

Moviegoers should get used to finding “Fantastic Beasts” on the big screen, since the franchise has now expanded from a three-film series to a five-film series. Whether or not those plans will change, however, no doubt hinges on the first flick’s success this weekend, and in the weeks to come.

[via: TheWrap]

November 18, 2016
‘Fantastic Beasts’ Could Snag $75 Million on Opening Weekend

As Warner Bros. prepares for the hotly-anticipated release of “Harry Potter” spinoff flick “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” the studio is hoping for some magical numbers at the box office. Of course, with the film’s status a heretofore unknown story, it remains to be seen just how huge its opening weekend haul will be.

Early estimates are pegging the flick for a domestic gross of around $75 million during its first few days of release, in addition to pulling in a hefty sum from foreign markets, putting the film’s total opening weekend take at around $200 million globally. That’s certainly not a number to sneeze at, but prognosticators note that Warner Bros. isn’t ignorant to the fact that “Beasts” is not “Harry Potter,” no matter how linked the two franchises may be.

“It’s not going to open like a Harry Potter film,” said Eric Handler, an analyst with MKM Partners. “People are still trying to figure out what this story is about and who the characters are.”

Still, as Variety notes, Warner Bros. is already putting plenty of faith in the burgeoning franchise, expanding the planned number of films from the previously announced three to a new total of five flicks. “Potter” author J.K. Rowling, who made her screenwriter debut with “Beasts,” will pen all of the films in the series.

“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” opens this Friday, November 18.

[via: Variety]

November 17, 2016
‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’ Title Design Is Toothy Fun

We’re still more than a year away from the release of “Harry Potter” spinoff “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” but that doesn’t mean we’re not insanely excited to see more of J.K. Rowling‘s magical world. Now, the flick has revealed its first image: its toothy title design.

The image, which debuted on Entertainment Weekly, is as instantly iconic for the new “Beasts” series as the lightning bolt-centric title design was for the “Harry Potter” series. The font features teeth jutting out of several letters, and a large, twisted “S” smack dab in the middle, which resembles a serpent or dragon; both touches are a nice nod to protagonist Newt Scamander’s job as a magizoologist (a.k.a. someone who studies magical creatures).

The prominent placement of the “Fantastic Beasts” lettering in the logo also suggests that that wording will stick with the franchise throughout the planned trilogy, with “and Where to Find Them” eventually getting replaced by future films’ subtitles. The series could also adopt a “Twilight” or “Hunger Games“-style title format, with “Fantastic Beasts” appearing in the name, followed by a colon and the full title.

If it seems like this is a lot of speculation and excitement over a measly few words, let us remind you again of just who and what we’re dealing with here: This is a new story set in the same world as “Harry Potter” (it takes place 70 years prior to the events of “Sorcerer’s Stone”); it’s written by Rowling herself and directed by longtime “Potter” helmer David Yates; and it features a sprawling, star-studded cast that includes Eddie Redmayne, Colin Farrell, Katherine Waterston, Alison Sudol, Dan Fogler, Ezra Miller, Samantha Morton, Jon Voight, Ron Perlman, Gemma Chan, and Carmen Ejogo. Need we say more?

“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” is due in theaters on November 18, 2016. In case you couldn’t tell, we can’t wait.

[via: Entertainment Weekly]

Photo credit: Entertainment Weekly

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November 3, 2015
‘Sons of Anarchy’ Star Ron Perlman Joins ‘Fantastic Beasts’

Actor Ron Perlman is making the switch from a Son of Anarchy to a goblin: Perlman has reportedly joined “Harry Potter” spinoff “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.”

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Perlman has just signed on to the production. Though there were no plot details divulged — they’ve been harder to crack than a Gringotts vault — sources tell the trade that Perlman will play a goblin in the flick.

Perlman recently starred for several years on FX motorcycle drama “Sons of Anarchy,” but has spent plenty of time in the fantasy realm, too. He led the “Beauty and the Beast” from 1987 through 1990.

That experience should come in handy in “Beasts,” which stars Eddie Redmayne as Newt Scamander, a magizoologist who studies magical creatures of the wizarding world, and writes the titular textbook, which is later used by Harry and his pals at Hogwarts. The flick also stars Colin Farrell, Katherine Waterston, Alison Sudol, Dan Fogler, Ezra Miller, and Samantha Morton; Jon Voight, Gemma Chan, and Carmen Ejogo were also all recently cast.

“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” is due to cast a spell on moviegoers on November 18, 2016.

[via: The Hollywood Reporter]

Photo credit: Getty Images

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October 9, 2015
Jon Voight Joins ‘Harry Potter’ Spinoff ‘Fantastic Beasts’

The eclectic cast of “Harry Potter” spinoff “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” keeps growing, and this time, an Oscar winner is joining the ranks.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Jon Voight has been added to the ensemble in an undisclosed role. He joins fellow Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne, who’s playing protagonist Newt Scamander, a magizoologist who penned the titular tome, a textbook used by Hogwarts students in the “Potter” series.

In addition to Voight’s casting, THR also has the scoop that two other actresses have also been cast. They are Humans,” and Carmen Ejogo, who starred in “Selma.” Like Voight, their roles are being kept under wraps for now.

The script for “Fantastic Beasts” is being penned by “Potter” author J.K. Rowling, and while there have been no real plot details divulged yet, Rowling did tease on Twitter that the American version of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry will be featured in some way in the flick. “Beasts” takes place in New York City approximately 70 years before the events of “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.”

“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” also stars Colin Farrell, Katherine Waterston, Alison Sudol, Dan Fogler, Ezra Miller, and Samantha Morton. It’s due in theaters on November 18, 2016.

[via: The Hollywood Reporter]

Photo credit: Getty Images for SHOWTIME

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October 5, 2015
Katherine Waterston Nabs Female Lead in ‘Fantastic Beasts’

After several weeks of speculation about the actresses in the running for two key roles in the upcoming “Harry Potter” spinoff “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” one of those parts has officially been cast.

Katherine Waterston, who turned heads last year in “Inherent Vice,” has landed the female leading role opposite star Eddie Redmayne, where she’ll be playing a witch name Tina (and yes, that’s short for Porpentina, a.k.a. the woman Redmayne’s character, Newt Scamander, ends up marrying, according to “Potter” universe lore). In the film, Tina meets Newt in New York City while the magizoologist is touring the United States on his quest to document magical creatures around the globe for his textbook, which gives the flick its name.

Waterston reportedly beat out a bevvy of other actresses for the juicy role, including True Detective”), and Alison Sudol (“Transparent”). Earlier reports indicated that she was instead vying for the role of Tina’s older sister, Queenie, which has yet to be cast. Actresses reportedly under consideration for that part include Kate Upton and Elizabeth Debicki (“The Great Gatsby“).

“Katherine Waterston is a rising star, who was a revelation in our film ‘Inherent Vice,’ earning the praise of both critics and audiences. We are thrilled to have her back in the Warner Bros. family, especially in one of our most anticipated titles for 2016, ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,’” said Warner Bros. exec Greg Silverman in a statement announcing the casting.

Perhaps Tina was the person J.K. Rowling alluded to that was educated at the American Hogwarts, rumored to be at least mentioned (if not seen) in “Beasts”? We can only speculate at this point, but we’re hopeful for more answers about the mysterious magical world of the U.S.

“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” is due in theaters on November 18, 2016.

[via: TheWrap]

Photo credit: Getty Images

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June 15, 2015
These 7 Actresses Are Vying for Roles in ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’

There’s still plenty of secrecy surrounding “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” the “Harry Potter” spinoff centered around mysterious magizoologist Newt Scamander. Now, a new report suggests that some familiar faces are up for two key roles in the flick.

True Detective”), and Alison Sudol (“Transparent”) to potentially play Tina; Kate Upton, Katherine Waterston (“Inherent Vice“), and Elizabeth Debicki (“The Great Gatsby“) are in contention for the part of older sister Queenie.

Eddie Redmayne has already been cast as Scamander, author of the flick’s titular textbook, which was used by Hogwarts students in the “Harry Potter” series. “Fantastic Beasts” purportedly follows Scamander to New York, and takes place about six decades prior to the events of “Potter.”

While J.K. Rowling‘s script for the film is finished (marking her screenwriting debut), not much is known about the plot of “Beasts.” But Vanity Fair points out that Rowling herself has left some clues about who Tina and Queenie are: Scamander married a woman named Porpentina (perhaps Tina for short?), meaning Ronan, Fanning, Simmons, and Sudol could be vying for the part of Redmayne’s love interest.

Studio Warner Bros. declined to comment on TheWrap’s report, though the site writes that several of the actresses already have screen tests scheduled, and are slated to read for the roles opposite Redmayne. That process is expected to begin sometime in the next week.

Stay tuned to see if any more casting announcements are made.

“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” is slated to hit theaters on November 18, 2016.

[via: TheWrap, h/t Vanity Fair]

Photo credit: Steve Jennings via Getty Images

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May 29, 2015
Eddie Redmayne Eyed for ‘Harry Potter’ Spinoff ‘Fantastic Beasts’

There have been plenty of rumors swirling around just who will play the mysterious lead in “Harry Potter” spinoff “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” and now, it looks like there’s a frontrunner for the part.

Variety reports that Eddie Redmayne is at the top of director David Yates‘s wishlist for the role of Newt Scamander, the magizoologist and author of the titular textbook used by Hogwarts students in the “Potter” books and flicks. According to the trade, several other actors are also in the mix — including “Mad Max: Fury Road” star Nicholas Hoult — but the newly-minted Oscar winner is currently the number one choice.

No offer to Redmayne has been made yet.

“Fantastic Beasts” takes place 70 years before the events of “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” and follows the adventures of Scamander in America. Variety reports that studio Warner Bros. is also looking to cast two American girls and two American boys in four leading roles.

“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find them,” written by “Potter” author J.K. Rowling in her screenwriting debut, is set for release on November 18, 2016.

[via: Variety]

Photo credit: Getty Images

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April 13, 2015