Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them (An Exclusive Series Special) (HBO Max)
- Matt Palmer
- Apr 14, 2022
- 3 min read
Initial release date: November 18, 2016
Studios: Warner Bros/ Heyday Films
Tagline: Explore a new era of the wizarding world before Harry Potter.
Plot: The year is 1926, and Newt Scamander has just completed a global excursion to find and document an extraordinary array of magical creatures. Arriving in New York for a brief stopover, he might have come and gone without incident, were it not for a No-Maj (American for Muggle) named Jacob, misplaced magical case, and the escape of some of Newt's fantastic beasts, which could spell trouble for both the wizarding and No-Maj worlds.
Cast
Eddie Redmayne - Newt Scamander
Colin Farrell - Graves
Dan Fogler - Jacob Kowalski
Katherine Waterston - Tina
Samantha Morton - Mary Lou
Ezra Miller - Credence Barebone
Faith Wood-Blagrove - Modesty Barebone
Jenn Murray - Chastity Barebone
Dan Hedaya - Red
Carmen Ejogo - Seraphina Picquery
Zoe Kravitz - Lestrange
Johnny Depp - Grindelwald (uncredited cameo)
Writer: J.K. Rowling
Director: David Yates
Rated PG-13 for some fantasy action violence (132 minutes)
The ‘Fantastic Beasts’ movies brought audiences back to the Wizarding World that they enjoyed with the main ‘Harry Potter’ franchise. With ‘The Secrets of Dumbledore' opening this Friday, I decided to take a second look at the first two entries since I haven’t seen them since I initially reviewed them for the Examiner.
The first ‘Fantastic Beasts’ movie is an amazing and very entertaining prequel to the Wizarding World series. The visual effects are incredible and the main characters are seemingly likable. One thing that is fascinating about the movie is that it gives a refreshing look to the series and dives deeper into the Wizarding World mythology.
If you enjoyed any of the ‘Harry Potter’ movies that were released, I am definitely certain that you will enjoy this 2016 movie ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them', now streaming on the HBO Max streaming service.
I will also be doing another look at the first sequel, ‘The Crimes of Grindelwald’ at the end of the holiday weekend. So, make sure to have another look at these movies and don’t miss ‘The Secrets of Dumbledore’ when it opens tomorrow — and two special screenings Thursday (today) at 3:30 and 6:30 pm!
Here are some interesting tidbits for ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them’ (SLIGHT SPOILERS AHEAD):
The name “Newt Scamander” appears on the Marauder's map in ‘Prisoner of Azkaban.’
Within the Harry Potter universe, Scamander’s ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’ was first published in 1927, and became a massive best-seller, as well as an approved textbook at Hogwart’s.
Was originally intended to be a trilogy, but as of October 2016, it has been confirmed to be a five-part franchise. ***UPDATE: Due to the under-performance of the first sequel, the studio is seeing how the 2022 film performs before green-lighting the next installment***.
Michael Cera was considered for the role of Jacob, but passed on this film role to voice the 2016 animated ‘The Lego Batman Movie.’
The pendant that Graves gives Credence is the mark of the Deathly Hallows, as is the pendant worn by Xenophilius Lovegood in ‘Deathly Hallows: Part 1.’ It foreshadows that Graves is actually Grindelwald in disguise. In ‘Deathly Hallows,’ Grindelwald and Dumbledore are described as obsessed with the Deathly Hallows. In the book, it’s specifically identified as Grindelwald’s mark during his reign of terror.
The film was first announced in September 2013, just two years after the release of the second half of ‘Deathly Hallows.’
Principal photography began on August 17, 2015 at WB Studios, Leavesden, in England and wrapped in January 2016.
Had its world premiere at Alice Tully Hall in NYC on November 10, 2016.
‘Fantastic Beasts’ grossed $234 million in the US and Canada and $580 million in other countries for a worldwide total of $814 million.
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