Courtesy Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly has an exclusive first look at the set and story of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, the upcoming film trilogy based on an encyclopedia of magical creatures used by Hogwarts students in the Harry Potter series.
Fantastic Beasts will detail the magical adventures of this book’s author, Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne), beginning in New York in 1926. EW’s cover shows him standing outside the home of the MACUSA — the Magical Congress of the United States of America.
J.K. Rowling has stated before — including in Harry Potter canon — that there are magical governments and schools around the world, not just in Britain. MACUSA is located in New York City’s Woolworth Building and flanked by what look to be golden eagles — just as Hogwarts is flanked by winged boars. (Wizards love their flanked entryways, apparently.) Will Fantastic Beasts give us a glimpse of the American Hogwarts? Is MACUSA as dysfunctional as the Ministry of Magic?
This cover is the very first image of Redmayne in character as Newt, dressed as a Muggle rather than a wizard — either to blend in, or because he just knows what looks good on him. Scamander also carries a quaint little briefcase, which could contain either bare essentials or literally everything he owns — thanks to a good old-fashioned Undetectable Extension Charm (like Hermione’s purse in Deathly Hallows).
While 1926 is a little early to have Newt interact with most of our favorite characters, it’s worth noting that at least one famously powerful magical duo was alive and well at the time the movie’s set: Dumbledore and Grindelwald. The European dark wizard will be rising to power right around now — but don’t expect to hear much about it all the way in New York.
Rowling wrote the original Fantastic Beasts book, which included annotations from Harry Potter and Ron Weasley, for a charity auction. It was published worldwide in 2001. For those who haven’t read the book (it’s only 42 pages; if you haven’t, what are you even doing here?),Fantastic Beasts lists various magical creatures and their defining characteristics. Though not necessary Potter reading, it adds color to the original book series, teaching readers about the perils of owning a pet acromantula (looking at you, Hagrid) and what it means that Hermione’s cat is part kneazle.
Fantastic Beasts releases in 2016; this week’s EW, which will include more photos and info about the film, will be on newsstands Nov. 6.