The magical world of Harry Potter on the big screen isn’t over yet. Warner Bros. announced Thursday they will adapt more of Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling’s work. They plan to make a film based on Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, a Hogwarts textbook, that will focus on the adventures of its fictitious author, Newt Scamander.
“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,” Rowling said. “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, 70 years before Harry’s gets underway.”
Rowling will pen the screenplay for Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, making her screenwriting debut. Warner Bros. also added that this will be the first film of a new franchise.
In its agreement with Rowling, Warner Bros. intends to develop a video game and other products based for the new film, as well as new attractions at the Harry Potter theme park (part of Universal Studios) in Orlando. For television, the deal also gives Warner Bros. rights to globally distribute The Casual Vacancy, Rowling’s adult novel that will be made into a BBC miniseries.
Warner Bros. is clearly trying to capitalize on the success of the Harry Potter franchise. Its final film, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, earned over $1.3 billion at the worldwide box office in 2011.
Are you excited to see more of the magical world of Harry Potter?
