Filming of ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’ moves to Liverpool

Oct 13, 2015

Posted by: Milka Väinämö

Fantastic Beasts, Films, News

The filming of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them has moved to Liverpool, Mirror reports. According to Mirror’s article St George’s Hall in Liverpool has been screened off with metal fences in preparation for the shoot of the much anticipated Harry Potter prequel.

On 12th of October, 2015 Liverpool Echo exclusively revealed the news about the filming happening in Liverpool, stating:

“Liverpool is the only non-studio location that Warner Bros. Pictures is using for the film, with shooting due to start soon at key city centre locations.”

Since the film is set in 1920s New York, we can deduce that the key city centre locations of Liverpool will stand in for New York. David Heyman, the film’s producer, said:

“The architecture in this beautiful city works perfectly for our film, set in 1920s New York, and I know we will receive a very warm welcome.”

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them will be released worldwide in 3D and IMAX on November 18, 2016.

The Pottermore Corespondent also took a trip to visit the set. Revealing details without actually revealing details, the “PMC” talks of what it was like to watch our favorite actors make a scene–well a small sliver of a scene over and over and over again (Take 25!). The PMC’s visit can be read entirely on Pottermore, a little is featured below.

 

Colin Farrell’s empty chair is right next to me. It is more charismatic than most of us can ever hope to be, this chair.

You know the ones I mean: those black canvas chairs with a name printed in white. All caps. Eddie Redmayne’s and Katherine Waterston’s chairs are sitting unoccupied about 11 me-sized steps away. They’re also surprisingly captivating for furniture.

 

Colin Farrell walks in – his floor-length black coat whipping at his feet. He’s taller than expected, or is it just his costume playing tricks?

The studio doors heave shut behind him and we’re all in the dark. Someone yells ‘Quiet on set!’ and I stop breathing for at least four minutes straight.

The camera switches on. Action happens.

Now, I can’t tell you exactly what goes down in this scene. Partly because I have no idea what’s going on and partly because it takes so long to get the perfect shot, we’re sitting there 25 minutes while the same frame is done over and over and over. But I do know this much: it’s a very important moment for Newt (Eddie), Tina (Katherine) and Graves (Colin) in New York. Very important indeed.

With perfect precision, Katherine Waterston gently places a significant object on the floor. Colin Farrell arches an eyebrow with extreme meaning. Other exquisitely dressed actors act and react to the same gestures until a fragment of the scene is done.

It’s painstakingly detailed, this film-making business, but beautiful. I could sit here all day and watch Katherine carry her object to the right spot, but it’s time to go.

It’s time to walk the streets of New York in winter, without leaving the UK.





The Leaky Cauldron is not associated with J.K. Rowling, Warner Bros., or any of the individuals or companies associated with producing and publishing Harry Potter books and films.