JK Rowling's magical world keeps on expanding with this sequel to 2016's Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, following Magizoologist Newt Scamander and the weird creatures he specialises in.
Where did we leave off?
At Fantastic Beasts' conclusion, Newt (Eddie Redmayne) had managed to clear up the beastly chaos he'd unwittingly unleashed on 1920s New York and had also earned some credit for helping to capture nefarious wizard Gellert Grindelwald (Johnny Depp). He'd made new friends in the shape of Auror Tina Goldstein (Katherine Waterston), muggle (or 'No-Maj', as the Americans say) baker Jacob Kowalski (Dan Fogler) and Tina's sister Queenie Goldstein (Alison Sudol), though Newt had to wipe Jacob's memory of his magical adventure before leaving the Big Apple.
Who wrote the script?
Potter creator Rowling has, as with the first film, written the script for this one. She has customarily been reluctant to release much in the way of details about the story, but we do know that it finds Newt headed to Paris on the hunt for the evil Grindelwald. We're told the story heads in a "whole new direction", which points to more than just a change of location. David Yates, who made the first film, is also back to direct this one.
What's the story this time?
It's a few months on from the first film, and during his return to England, Newt has now published his book: Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them. When Grindelwald escapes from capture, a young Albus Dumbledore dispatches Newt to Paris to track him down, with Tina Goldstein in tow. Elsewhere the likes of Queenie and muggle baker Jacob (presumably with his memory restored) are back on another adventure. This film will see the series return to Hogwarts for the first time since Deathly Hallows: Part 2, and looks set to fully establish the threat of Grindelwald as the main driving force for the rest of the Fantastic Beasts series.
Where did it shoot?
Shooting took place between July and November last year, taking in Paris (obviously, given the movie's setting), London, Lacock Abbey in Wiltshire (standing in for Hogwarts) and Highgate Cemetery. That last one was used as part of the Parisian catacombs.
Who is in the film?
Returning from the first film are:
Eddie Redmayne as Newt Scamander
Katherine Waterston as Tina Goldstein
Dan Fogler as Jacob Kowalski
Alison Sudol as Queenie Goldstein
Ezra Miller as Credence Barebone
Carmen Ejogo as Seraphina Picquery
Zoë Kravitz as Leta Lestrange (seen in a picture, but appearing properly in the sequel)
Johnny Depp as Gellert Grindelwald
With new faces
Jude Law as Albus Dumbledore, here a professor at Hogwarts
Callum Turner as Theseus Scamander, Newt's brother
Jessica Williams as Eulalie Hicks, a American wizarding professor
Brontis Jodorowsky as Nicolas Flamel, a 14th-century Parisian scribe believed to have discovered the Philosopher's Stone
Ólafur Darri Ólafsson as Skender, head of a wizarding circus and freak show
Claudia Kim as Nagini – yes, that Nagini. She's a Maledictus, who carries a blood curse that transforms her into a beast, and eventually she'll become Voldemort's snake.
What about the Johnny Depp issue?
Johnny Depp's casting proved to be extremely controversial, and we don't mean because people wanted Colin Farrell to remain as Grindelwald following his performance as the disguised villain for most of the first film. After a scandal about domestic abuse issues in his marriage, fans were concerned about Depp's continued presence in the film. Rowling addressed the issue with a hefty statement:
"When Johnny Depp was cast as Grindelwald, I thought he’d be wonderful in the role," she wrote on her site. "However, around the time of filming his cameo in the first movie, stories had appeared in the press that deeply concerned me and everyone most closely involved in the franchise.
"Harry Potter fans had legitimate questions and concerns about our choice to continue with Johnny Depp in the role. As David Yates, long-time Potter director, has already said, we naturally considered the possibility of recasting. I understand why some have been confused and angry about why that didn’t happen.
"The huge, mutually supportive community that has grown up around Harry Potter is one of the greatest joys of my life. For me personally, the inability to speak openly to fans about this issue has been difficult, frustrating and at times painful. However, the agreements that have been put in place to protect the privacy of two people, both of whom have expressed a desire to get on with their lives, must be respected. Based on our understanding of the circumstances, the filmmakers and I are not only comfortable sticking with our original casting, but genuinely happy to have Johnny playing a major character in the movies.
"I’ve loved writing the first two screenplays and I can’t wait for fans to see The Crimes Of Grindelwald. I accept that there will be those who are not satisfied with our choice of actor in the title role. However, conscience isn’t governable by committee. Within the fictional world and outside it, we all have to do what we believe to be the right thing."
The current allegations against the actor, accused of drunkenly assaulting a crew member on the set of upcoming film City Of Lies seem set to add fuel to this particular fire.
When will the film arrive?
The Crimes Of Grindelwald will be out on 16 November.
What's in store for the future?
The current plan for the Fantastic Beasts film series calls for five instalments, so three more are on the way. Expect the next one in 2020.
Trailer
A newer trailer launched at this year's San Diego Comic-Con, and introduced Flamel.
And the final trailer revealed the Nagini character, and some more impressive beast shots.