Warner Bros. has released a new behind-the-scenes featurette for the upcoming sequelFantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. But instead of focusing on the new Parisian setting or the additional characters, this featurette dials in on one incredibly exciting aspect of the film: the return to Hogwarts. Indeed, whileFantastic Beasts and Where to Find Themcarved out a new corner of theHarry Potteruniverse by venturing to America in the 1920s, author and screenwriterJ.K. Rowlingis using the sequel to connect theFantastic Beastsfranchise to iconic parts ofPotterlore—including Hogwarts.
It’s revealed in the featurette that the location used for the Hogwarts exterior inFantastic Beastsis the same one used in three of thePotterfilms, so this was a bit of a reunion of sorts. Hogwarts comes into play inFantastic Beasts 2because the sequel introducesJude Law’s Dumbledore, who not only has a history with Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne), but also a deep connection toFantastic Beastsantagonist Grindelwald (Johnny Depp). Newt is summoned to Hogwarts, where Dumbledore asks his help in tracking down and capturing Grindelwald once again.
It’ll be interesting to see if theFantastic Beastsfranchises makes Hogwarts a more important location in later films, or if this is just a fun little side trip for fans. Rowling has said thatFantastic Beastswill span five movies in total, but what sets this franchise apart fromPotteris that it’s a story about adults, not children, so Hogwarts isn’t necessarily vital to the story. That we know of yet…
Check out theFantastic Beasts 2featurette below, followed by links to Allison’s extensive coverage from visiting the film’s set. The movie also starsKatherine Waterston,Alison Sudol,Dan Fogler,Zoe Kravitz, andCallum Turner.Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwaldopens in theaters on November 16th.
Here are links to all of ourFantastic Beasts 2set visit coverage:
Here’s the official synopsis forFantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald:
At the end of the first film, the powerful Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald (Johnny Depp) was captured by MACUSA (Magical Congress of the United States of America), with the help of Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne). But, making good on his threat, Grindelwald escaped custody and has set about gathering followers, most unsuspecting of his true agenda: to raise pure-blood wizards up to rule over all non-magical beings.
In an effort to thwart Grindelwald’s plans, Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) enlists his former student Newt Scamander, who agrees to help, unaware of the dangers that lie ahead. Lines are drawn as love and loyalty are tested, even among the truest friends and family, in an increasingly divided wizarding world.
