Harry Potter

JK Rowling's Harry Potter spin-off Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is to be made into a film trilogy.

The book, published in 2001, was originally billed as one of Harry Potter's Hogwarts textbooks.

Warner Bros chief Kevin Tsujihara persuaded author Rowling to adapt the book for the big screen.

Last week, he told the New York Times there would be a trilogy of films based on the book, which follows a "magizoologist" named Newt Scamander.

Scamander is the author of a guide to magical creatures. Set in New York, the book is neither a sequel nor a prequel, but an "extension" of Harry Potter's "wizarding world", Rowling said.

Last month, Rowling told actress Emma Watson, who played Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter films, that she completed the draft script in 12 days.

Rowling herself told the newspaper that it was Tsujihara - who took over the role of CEO at Warner Bros last year - who persuaded her to adapt the book.

Eldorion wrote:Who knew Warner Bros. was this desperate to keep the cash cow going?

I mean, it's not like I was expecting great things from this project to begin with, but I doubt that stretching it into three films is going to be a good thing.  {{{If they really want more, they should just make a Quidditch Through The Ages movie. }}}

Bluebottle wrote:Yes. Though I always saw a prequel about his father and his friends as the most fruitfull possibility if she was going to do another story.  

One probably shouldn't judge this thing before it comes out, though it sounds a bit of a strange idea. Maybe she can even get her wish of Terry Gilliam directing this time around.   

Mrs Figg wrote:Rowling has a knack for great characters so maybe the films will be fun. I sometimes think a new Harry Potter book would be the most anticipated book of the millenium, I wonder if she realizes this? that millions of people would Love a new HP book, a prequel or sequel there would be a stampede to the shops.

Mrs Figg wrote: I know Rowling is resisting going back to Hogwarts and she certainly doesnt need the cash, so I dont know what would convince her to write another.

Eldorion wrote:

Bluebottle wrote:One probably shouldn't judge this thing before it comes out, though it sounds a bit of a strange idea. Maybe she can even get her wish of Terry Gilliam directing this time around.   

I guess I worry because it feels like a cash grab, particularly since the studio exec came up with the idea in the first place.  Of course, I'll withhold judgement until I see it, but I don't want to get my hopes up.  Though they'd probably rise anyway if Terry Gilliam was attached to the project.

Bluebottle wrote:Maybe JK Rowling feels the same about writing something about Harrys parents and so on. That she would to a large degree be repeating things she already has written in the original series.