A little more Insight on “Fantastic Beasts” Films

Recently, at a luncheon that celebrated the launching of the Hogwarts Express expansion to Leavesden studios, CEO Kevin Tsujihara and other Warner Bros. executives talked a little of the upcoming “Fantastic Beast” movie trilogy. The context of the conversation was discussing a comparison between the Star Wars franchise and the Harry Potter franchise, discussing how the new trilogy fits into the Harry Potter storyline. The Hollywood Reporter wrote:

Warner Bros. CEO Kevin Tsujihara and other top studio executives, staff members and guests celebrated the launch of the new Hogwarts Express attraction, part of the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London: The Making of Harry Potter, on Tuesday night.

When asked how important the upcoming Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them trilogy was in extending the Potter film world and whether the combined franchise set in the magical world was comparable to the likes of Star Wars — which also is getting new installments — Tsujihara noted the similarities.

“[Beasts] is really a wonderful gift ?from [J.K. Rowling] to the fans, and we are a part of it. It is like Star Wars. It is not exactly a linear story but an adjacent story,” he told The Hollywood Reporter. “And Jo wrote [the film version of Beasts] herself, which is just absolutely amazing, and she is so talented. You see the passion that everyone has for the world that she has created, and it’s just fantastic to extend it.”

The Potter spinoff trilogy, Fantastic Beasts, will be filmed at the Leavesden studio and released over the coming years. Warner Bros. has said the David Yates-directed first installment will hit theaters on Nov. 18, 2016, with filming set to start later this year. The second film will be released in November 2018, with the third installment set for November 2020. When asked what else may be next for Leavesden, said Tsujihara: “Right now, we are focused onFantastic Beasts. And Jo has a storyline in her head, and right now, we are letting her go [with it].”

The article discussed the opening of the Hogwarts Express expansion at Leavesden, explaining the importance of the expansion and it’s iconic importance to the Harry Potter world. They went on to talk about how the Hogwarts Express represented the  creativity of the studios, and Warner Bros. partnership with British studios.

In his comments, Berger lauded Tsujihara for championing the U.K. studio and for having been “the driving force” behind “our ongoing and expanded partnership with Jo Rowling.”

He also called the new Hogwarts Express attraction “an example of the creativity and craftsmanship that exists here,” as well as part of Warners’ commitment to investing in the U.K.

The extensive article can be read here.

SnitchSeeker also had the amazing opportunity of sitting down with Mark Williams (Arthur Weasley) and discussing the Hogwarts Express expansion. The video of the interview with SnitchSeeker can be seen here.