Re: Harry Potter

by Eldorion Thu Sep 12, 2013 3:54 pm

And "new film series" ... does that mean they'll be adapting Quidditch Through The Ages as well?

Norc wrote:about the AUTHOR! read what it saaaays!

I can honestly say that among all the questions of the HP universe that I've ever pondered, I have never once wondered what thrilling adventures Newt Scamander got up to in between teaching and writing.

by Norc Thu Sep 12, 2013 4:01 pm

finding beasts perhaps. the title says "and where to find them".
Harry Potter - Page 16 Tumblr_lzpw1aAjsq1rq535ko1_500

by Eldorion Thu Sep 12, 2013 4:09 pm

No shit.

Here's the biography of Newt from the edition of Fantastic Beasts published in 2001 for Comic Relief UK (yes, of course I own a copy):

Newton (“Newt”) Artemis Fido Scamander was born in 1897. His interest in fabulous beasts was encouraged by his mother, who was an enthusiastic breeder of fancy Hippogriffs. Upon graduation from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Mr. Scamander joined the Ministry of Magic in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. After two years at the Office for House-Elf Relocation, years he describes as “tedious and extreme,” he was transferred to the Beast Division, where his prodigious knowledge of bizarre magical animals ensured his rapid promotion.

Although almost solely responsible for the creation of the Werewolf Register in 1947, he says he is proudest of the Ban on Experimental Breeding, passed in 1965, which effectively prevented the creation of new and untameable monsters within Britain. Mr. Scamander's work with the Dragon Research and Restraint Bureau led to many research trips abroad, during which he collected information for his worldwide best-seller Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, now in its fifty-second edition.

Newt Scamander was awarded the Order of Merlin, Second Class, in 1979 in recognition of his services to the study of magical beasts, Magizoology. Now retired, he lives in Dorset with his wife Porpentina and their pet Kneazles: Hoppy, Milly, and Mauler.

by Norc Thu Sep 12, 2013 4:17 pm

sounds like an exciting life.

by Eldorion Thu Sep 12, 2013 4:19 pm

Yes, but if the character is uninteresting then the whole project is doomed. Now clearly, Rowling is more than capable of creating interesting characters, but this just seems like a really weird place to begin a spin-off from. Has anyone but the most obsessive backstory nerds ever given a shit about Newt Scamander's life?

by Norc Thu Sep 12, 2013 4:26 pm

i don't think he is uninterested. his speciality and profession is magical beasts.

by halfwise Thu Sep 12, 2013 4:36 pm

I think the appeal is the openness of it, and the freedom from the Harry Potter characters. Think of it as Ace Ventura for the Harry Potter universe.

by Eldorion Thu Sep 12, 2013 4:54 pm

Okay, now I'm sold. I love Ace Ventura. If there's a missing dolphin named Snowflake and/or a former professional Quidditch player out for revenge, I will proclaim this the greatest spin-off movie in the history of movies. Metal

by David H Thu Sep 12, 2013 4:56 pm

Eldorion wrote:

Here's the biography of Newt from the edition of Fantastic Beasts published in 2001 for Comic Relief UK (yes, of course I own a copy):

Oh. The muggle edition. Rolling Eyes

by Eldorion Thu Sep 12, 2013 4:58 pm

I don't think there's any need for that kind of language here. Mad

by Ringdrotten Thu Sep 12, 2013 5:33 pm

I actually love this idea! And I think, for me at least, Halfwise is pretty close to the mark: "I think the appeal is the openness of it" - I don't really know what to expect from this film, but I look forward to seeing this Newt going about his way, collecting information about magical beasts Very Happy

I just hope they don't make it all dark like the rest, but a more light-hearted story set in the HP universe. The whole idea reminds me a little bit of pokemon that I used to watch as a kid. This could be great Very Happy

by Norc Thu Sep 12, 2013 6:39 pm

and it being set in the early 1900!! Very Happy

by Ringdrotten Thu Sep 12, 2013 6:50 pm

Yeah, I wonder how she'll present us the wizarding world during that time period. I look forward to it Smile

by Norc Thu Sep 12, 2013 6:51 pm

me too

by Mrs Figg Thu Sep 12, 2013 6:59 pm

Luna Lovegood married Neville Longbottom, not Rolf Scamander, what is she thinking??

this new film sounds interesting Very Happy

by Ringdrotten Thu Sep 12, 2013 7:01 pm

Mrs Figg wrote: Luna Lovegood married Neville Longbottom, not Rolf Scamander, what is she thinking??

I was thinking the same thing, but then again, maybe she and her hard-core fans know something we do not? Suspect

And I considered myself a pretty big fan, having lost count of how many times I've read each of these books!

by Eldorion Thu Sep 12, 2013 7:03 pm

I'm more curious to see what Wizarding America will look like. Very Happy

Also, since the Wizarding World is apparently resistant to modernity, I wonder if the early 1900s will look a lot like the setting we already know, or if it will have even less technology.

...I'm finding myself getting excited for this in spite of myself. Fingers crossed! Very Happy

by Eldorion Thu Sep 12, 2013 7:06 pm

Ringdrotten wrote:I was thinking the same thing, but then again, maybe she and her hard-core fans know something we do not? And I considered myself a pretty big fan, having lost count of how many times I've read each of these books!

After Deathly Hallows came out, JKR went a little bit crazy answering every question the fans could throw at her and a few that they didn't even think to. Razz

I'm not a fan of the "death of the author" theory, but I do have mixed feelings about so much important information about the characters being told solely through interviews or the official website. Anyway, she drew up this family tree of various characters and their children back in 2007.

Harry Potter - Page 16 Bo2KFem

Buzzfeed has a summary of a bunch of the information she has mentioned:

http://www.buzzfeed.com/ellievhall/28-things-that-happened-after-the-harry-potter-books-ended

by Ringdrotten Thu Sep 12, 2013 7:10 pm

The wizards of the 1990s did seem to be stuck in the earlier 90's in many areas, so it could be we won't see such a big difference. I wonder whether Grindelwald will be in this film in order to have some sort of antagonist; if it's set 70 years before Harry's adventures, that would mean the story takes around 1910-20, right? In which case Grindelwald could play a part, if I remember correctly. Like I sai, though, I hope they don't make it too dark, so perhaps he's best left out Nod

by Norc Thu Sep 12, 2013 7:34 pm

Mrs Figg wrote: Luna Lovegood married Neville Longbottom, not Rolf Scamander, what is she thinking??

this new film sounds interesting

no, she didn't. they were dear friends, never anything more. people believe they married, but they didn't. they might have had a fling, but u don't necessarily marry your sweetheart.

by Norc Thu Sep 12, 2013 7:36 pm

Ringdrotten wrote:The wizards of the 1990s did seem to be stuck in the earlier 90's in many areas, so it could be we won't see such a big difference. I wonder whether Grindelwald will be in this film in order to have some sort of antagonist; if it's set 70 years before Harry's adventures, that would mean the story takes around 1910-20, right? In which case Grindelwald could play a part, if I remember correctly. Like I sai, though, I hope they don't make it too dark, so perhaps he's best left out

maybe even a young dumbledore.

by Eldorion Thu Sep 12, 2013 7:39 pm

I would rather not see a young Dumbledore or Grindelwald in the film. If you're going to make it about Newt, stick to it being about Newt. Otherwise you run into the problem that Bungo brought up in the Star Wars thread where the film ends up being about cramming in characters who appeared or were mentioned in previous films rather than telling a new story.

Dumbledore and Grindelwald can have their own film later if JKR and Warner Bros. decide they want to make one.

by Norc Thu Sep 12, 2013 7:41 pm

yepp.. i agree.

by Ringdrotten Thu Sep 12, 2013 8:23 pm

Cool family tree, Eldo, I hadn't seen that until now, only heard about it. Naming one of Harry and Ginny's children severus was a nice touch, I thought, but "James Sirius" and "Lily Luna" was an overkill in my opinion. Apparently Ginny didn't have much say in the question of whom to rename their children after Laughing

by Norc Thu Sep 12, 2013 8:25 pm

hhahaha.. yeah Very Happy

and the names are even sillier in norwegian.
Albus Severus
Jakob Sirius
Lilly Lulla (?)