(Reuters) — Enchanted “Harry Potter” fans lined up in London’s Leicester Square on Thursday (October 13) for a global fan event to get a sneak peek at the new spinoff movie penned by J.K. Rowling, “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”.
The British contingent of Potter-philes were part of a coordinated event to see early footage from “Fantastic Beasts” at select IMAX theatres in cities including Rome, Sao Paulo, Mexico City and New York. The screening included a question-and-answer session with the cast in London and Los Angeles that was broadcast at the same time.
Not much is known about the plot of “Fantastic Beasts”, but a trailer for the movie shows protagonist Newt Scamander, played by British actor Eddie Redmayne, arriving in 1920s New York with a case of magical creatures that escape, wreak havoc and face threats from the nonmagical humans in the city.
“I’m just very excited to be here with all the other fans really. I’ve been following the trailers with excitement, I’ve been a fan of the Harry Potter series since the books came out, but it’s exciting to be here with the cast, and just a chance to dress up and kind of celebrate the world of wizardry really,” said 45-year-old Potter fan Lisa Bowden, who had come dressed as Scamander, complete with a briefcase displaying a protruding tentacle.
“I’ve been bingeing every single movie, binge-reading every single book, knowing all the spells, buying all the franchise, everything, and just casually mention ‘Harry Potter’ in every conversation I have, so yeah, I’m a pretty die-hard fan,” said 18-year-old Christina Chung, sporting a Gryffindor scarf.
“Fantastic Beasts” taps in to the eight-film Potter franchise that officially concluded with “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2” in 2011 and that has taken in more than $7 billion at the global box office. Rowling’s seven-book series sold more than 450 million copies worldwide.
Speaking ahead of the fan event, Redmayne said that he “couldn’t” step in to Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe’s shoes.
“I am just I suppose trying to create this new character and start, you know… but there were moments, there were definitely moments when I was making this film that I went back and looked at the Potters and looked at particularly Dan’s wand work, and Emma’s (Watson) wand work, and I may have stolen a few moments,” he said.
When asked what spell he’d cast on the world if he had the chance, the star said “peace in Syria would be a good place to start.”
Co-star Katherine Waterston, who plays leading female character Porpentina, said she’d make sure for Hillary Clinton to win the upcoming presidential elections in the United States, and “undo” Brexit.
During the question and answer session with the cast, author J. K. Rowling said the spinoff movie franchise will consist of five films, up from the previously announced three.
Actor David Yates told Reuters that Dumbledore would appear in the next film, and that the process of selecting young Dumbledore was underway, with a meeting scheduled for Friday (October 14).
“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” hits cinemas on November 18.
