The close of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them saw Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) help unmask and apprehend Gellert Grindelwald (Johnny Depp), who had disguised himself as MACUSA Auror Percival Graves.
The latest from the studio is that, in the new film, Grindelwald will ‘make a dramatic escape’ from MACUSA custody, forcing Albus Dumbledore to join the wizarding world’s efforts to stop him.
The villainous Grindelwald has been busy ‘gathering more followers to his cause – elevating wizards above all non-magical beings’. Dumbledore will look to his former student Newt for help.
Newt will again be joined by Queenie and Tina Goldstein in the next film, as well as his No-Maj friend Jacob Kowalski, and a host of new characters. However, the mission against Grindelwald will ‘test their loyalties’ as the wizarding world becomes more divided and dangerous.
In the Harry Potter stories, Dumbledore and Grindelwald had a complex history. The pair started off as childhood friends, but became enemies after a duel which led to the death of Dumbledore’s younger sister, Ariana.
Albus Dumbledore was only mentioned by name in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Grindelwald, masquerading as Graves, asked Newt why the Hogwarts teacher was ‘so fond’ of him.
We also learned in that scene that Dumbledore argued against Newt Scamander’s expulsion from the wizarding school. The beloved Hogwarts professor will be played by Jude Law in this new adventure.
Five films are planned in the Fantastic Beasts series and the new film is due for release on 16 November, 2018.
According to the filmmakers, the as-yet-untitled film will have some 'surprising nods' to the Harry Potter stories and is being directed by David Yates.
Now that principal photography has begun, expect to discover more about Fantastic Beasts on Pottermore very soon.