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‘Fantastic Beasts’ Sequel Reveals Title and First Image

Prepare to step back into the Wizarding World in just a year.
Fantastic Beasts Crimes Of Grindelwald
By  · Published on November 16th, 2017

Prepare to step back into the Wizarding World in just a year.

We finally know what the title of the sequel to Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is! Warner Bros. has delivered quite a treat with the announcement of a title along with a first look at the cast in full costumed glory. The Harry Potter prequel series will next explore the magical world in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.

The official synopsis goes as follows:

At the end of the first film, the powerful Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald (Johnny Depp) was captured by MACUSA (Magical Congress of the United States of America), with the help of Newt Scamander (Eddie 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 (Jude 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.

Also reprising their roles from the first Fantastic Beasts film are Katherine Waterston (Tina Goldstein), Dan Fogler (Jacob Kowalski), Alison Sudol (Queenie Goldstein), Zoe Kravitz (Leta Lestrange), and Ezra Miller (Credence). Claudia Kim and Callum Turner join Law as a newcomer. Kim will appear as Maledictus, “the carrier of a blood curse that destines her ultimately to transform into a beast,” and Turner will feature as Newt’s older brother and Leta’s fiance, Theseus Scamander.

“The Crimes of Grindelwald” is a little on-the-nose, but it serves a purpose while connecting it more closely to the established timeline in the Harry Potter series. The Dumbledore and Grindelwald conflict is a great subplot that wasn’t fully expanded on in the books and original series for obvious reasons. There’s an appeal to going in-depth and exploring that dynamic. Seeing one of the most well-known Harry Potter characters in his younger days would also be a treat.

Nevertheless, a title like The Crimes of Grindelwald also hints at a perspectival shift away from the characters we got to know in the first Fantastic Beasts movie. Becoming accustomed to new faces like Newt, Tina, Queenie and Jacob and growing to love them creates a kind of investment that simply bolsters the visual extravagance and warmth that the film has. While the Fantastic Beasts series isn’t just about a single character, there is so much we’ve yet to discover about the ones introduced in the first film. Here’s to hoping they get enough screentime in the follow-up.

It has to be said though: as someone with reservations about Depp as Grindelwald. Firstly, there are those domestic violence allegations to contend with. Secondly, his glorified cameo in the first movie was not good. I can’t pretend his presence doesn’t already put a damper on any potential anticipation. But everything else looks rather exciting, at least.

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald will hit cinemas November 16, 2018.

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Sheryl Oh often finds herself fascinated (and let's be real, a little obsessed) with actors and their onscreen accomplishments, developing Film School Rejects' Filmographies column as a passion project. She's not very good at Twitter but find her at @sherhorowitz anyway. (She/Her)