Movies: Redmayne Returns As Newt Scamander In “Fantastic Beasts” Sequel

© 2018 WBEI | Publishing Rights © J.K.R. | TM WBEI

He originated the role of Newt Scamander in the 2016 blockbuster hit “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.”  Now, Oscar-winning British actor Eddie Redmayne reprises his beloved Magizoologist character, in Warner Bros. Pictures’ fantasy adventure “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald” (in Philippine cinemas Thursday Nov. 15).

In the film, Newt Scamander had every intention of returning to New York to keep his promise to hand deliver a copy of his new book to Tina Goldstein (Katherine Waterston).  However, the British Ministry of Magic, still vexed by the mayhem he and his creatures caused across the Pond, has banned him from traveling internationally.  They will lift the ban only on the condition that he join his brother, Theseus (Callum Turner), in the Auror Department to accomplish one mission: hunt down Credence, who, Newt is stunned to learn, is still alive.  Nevertheless, Newt—knowing the Ministry’s intention is to kill Credence, whom they consider to be a threat—rejects their deal.

Movies: A Thrilling New Adventure In J.K. Rowling's Wizarding World Is Underway

The Main Cast and Filmmakers From “Fantastic Beasts and Where 

to Find Them” are Joined by Exciting New Additions to the Ensemble

BURBANK, CA – July 3, 2017 – Principal photography starts today, Monday, July 3, on an all new adventure set in J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World, the second of five films in the series that began with “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.” The as-yet-untitled film is being directed by David Yates.

Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne (“The Theory of Everything”) stars once more as wizarding world magizoologist Newt Scamander; alongside Katherine Waterston as Auror Tina Goldstein; Alison Sudol as her sister, Queenie Goldstein; and Dan Fogler as Jacob Kowalski, the only No-Maj in the foursome.

Oscar nominee Johnny Depp (the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies, “Finding Neverland”), who was revealed as Gellert Grindelwald, stars as the powerful Dark wizard in the film. Oscar nominee Jude Law (“The Talented Mr. Ripley,” “Cold Mountain”) takes on the role of Albus Dumbledore—one of J.K. Rowling’s most beloved characters—decades before he becomes Headmaster at Hogwarts. Credence, whose fate was unknown at the end of the first film, makes a mysterious return, played again by Ezra Miller. Zoë Kravitz plays Leta Lestrange, who was glimpsed in a photo as a woman from Newt’s past; Callum Turner is the famed Theseus Scamander, a war hero and Auror, who also happens to be Newt’s older brother; and Claudia Kim plays a young woman we first meet as a featured attraction at a wizarding circus.

Movie Review: "Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them"

Reminisce and Discover: 

"Fantastic Beasts" Brings Us Back To Rowling's Wizarding World. 

Unlike all eight "Harry Potter" films wherein I was able to read the book first before seeing the movie, the case for "Fantastic Beasts" was different. There is a book that you can read but this of course is still the very same text book that  Harry et al use in their years of study at Hogwarts and it reads as such, just like a textbook. 

I have read the book but have yet to write a review about it (I enjoyed it as it had that classic Rowling humor). I have to hand it to J. K. Rowling, who would have thought that you would be able to create an incredible story from what was supposedly just a textbook?! 

So even if you have read the book, like me, it would just be a sort of encyclopedia on different magical creatures, this was of course written by Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) who prefers his "fantastic beasts" over people and hides his (beautiful) eyes under a thick mass of curly soft brown hair. 

The film that shares the same name as the book tells the story of how Newt, after an extensive travel of the world goes to New York in 1926 (70 years before Harry Potter). What Newt thought would be a simple visit turns out to be an adventure he will not easily forget. 

Award Winning actor Eddie Redmayne (OBE) as Newt Scamander. 

The film opens with newspaper clippings (it's 1926!) of the powerful dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald wrecking havoc in Europe and dissapearing without a trace. The whole wizarding community is on the edge with Grindelwald's recent attacks and an unknown threat in New York which could lead to the exposure of wizards and witches. 

As if things couldn't get any more tense, Newt Scamander arrives in New York City with a case full of magical creatures and some of them have escaped! Now an unlikely team, made up of Newt, a good natured No-Maj (Muggle) Jacob Kowalski (who absolutely stole the show), a disgraced (former) Auror, Tina Goldstein (Katherine Waterson) and her legilimens (someone who can read minds) quirky Queenie Goldstein (Alison Sudol - "A Fine Frenzy!") are on a race against time to find Newt's beasts before they are blamed for a series of attacks in New York. 

What starts out as a Pokemon Go Party-err- trying to look for the magical creatures turns out to be more than any of them ever imagined. 

Collin Farrel as Percival Graves

"Fantastic Beasts" was very different from "Harry Potter" in the sense that the setting was different (1920's New York) so there was no school, no "Defense Against The Dark Arts" class, no "Quidditch" so that was definitely something new and refreshing. 

I guess the thing about going into "Fantastic Beasts" is that it could be a little overwhelming in the first few minutes. I have to admit there was pacing problems for me in the first part of the film but the film just brings you right back in Rowling's wizarding world and soon you are caught in the magic. That magic that you have known growing up, the same magic you spent so many hours lost in, seven books, eight movies, a childhood of Rowling's magical world. You are bound to get sentimental and I was. 

What I liked about the film was that it read just like a Harry Potter book, the rising action, the mystery and twist in the end was very satisfying, although how the "antagonist" was "apprehended" was a little underwhelming. 

I will however say that I am completely hooked with the new characters, Redmayne is perfect as Newt, I read somewhere (the book maybe) that Newt is not really fond of people, that he prefers his creatures over them and Redmayne was able to get this across effectively. 

I have to say though that I loved Jacob, every time he's on screen the audience would just laugh, every little twitch of his face just adorable. (More of Jacob please!) and I just loved Queenie, even before I knew that she was played by Alison Sudol who is also known as alternative singer-songwriter "A Fine Frenzy" I've loved her songs for years now! You should really check her out ;) "Almost Lover" and "You Picked Me" are my favorites. 

Sorry, just totally geeking out since my music and movie nerd just had a great cross over! More of Queenie too please! 

Jacob Kowalski (Dan Folger), Newt (Redmayne) and Tina Goldstein (Katherine Waterson) 

Despite the pacing problems and the underwhelming wrap up with the antagonists, I'd still watch it again and I am also looking forward to the upcoming films, there is news that Eddie Redmayne won't be the lead in this, which is understandable, given that even the actors did not know about the future films, which is okay, I really, really want to know what happens with those little "easter eggs" they had throughout the movie. 

Some talking points in the movie, don't worry there are no spoilers. 

Newt was expelled from Hogwarts but he was still in his own queer way a hero. Not that I am in favor of leaving school but I appreciated how Rowling made this character a star. Although he was shy around people, he took it upon himself to study these fantastic beasts so that other people could understand them more. He might have not blossomed traditionally in school but he still made his mark, and now all students in Hogwarts read his book and is definitely useful at times. Just ask Hermione. 

Alison Sudol AKA "A Fine Frenzy" as Queenie Goldstein. 

There was a scene where he talks about rescuing a pair of magical creature who is considered the last breeding pair of their kind. They were seen with a baby and I can't help but think of the many endangered species that we have in the planet (also those that have become extinct) all at the hands of man and it made me a little sad as I thought about how greedy mankind really is. I hope that the lesson in the movie is something that kids would pick up on and become aware on the plight of endangered species all over the world. 

The film talks about "suppressing one's nature" which leads to catastrophic consequences and I believe that this is an important talking point, given current events and should also serve as a reminder for us to put away our "persecuting nature" I mean, really it's 2016 already. 

8.5 out of 10. The pacing problem, underwhelming resolution and sometimes Newt was a little hard to understand, not just because of the accent but his shy nature had him whispering and mumbling at times. Maybe seeing it with subtitles would help. 

Grateful that we have more stories coming out, you just can't get enough of a good thing. 

© 2016 Warner Bros. Ent. All Rights Reserved. 

Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts Publishing Rights © JKR.

Movies: EDDIE REDMAYNE GREETS PH, LEADS MAGICAL CAST OF “FANTASTIC BEASTS”

Academy Award winner Eddie Redmayne stars in the central role of Magizoologist Newt Scamander, in Warner Bros.' “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” which takes us to a new era of J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World, decades before Harry Potter and half a world away in America.

(Watch a featurette on Eddie Redmayne with a special greeting for the Philippines athttp://youtu.be/BZIs5i_MlCg.)

The casting of “Fantastic Beasts” began with the character of Newt Scamander, whose visit to New York becomes far more eventful than he ever imagined. Producer David Heyman says that Eddie Redmayne was the filmmakers’ first and only choice for the part. “He is quintessentially British, and an actor for all times who can play a character from any time. Eddie is brilliant at getting under a character’s skin and exploring every detail of a role, yet all that effort is invisible. All you see here is Newt—an outsider who is somewhat knotty but winning and engaging, someone you immediately invest in.”

Describing his role, Redmayne says, “Newt is most comfortable around beasts and is seemingly content to be on his own in the company of his animals, which are the be all and end all of his life. What I love about Newt is his passion; his only agenda is to teach the value of these creatures to the rest of the magical world, which considers them dangerous because they could give away the existence of wizards.”

Challenging the status quo, “Newt believes that with proper education, wizards could come to appreciate how magnificent these animals are and learn to coexist with them,” says Redmayne. “At the beginning of the film, he’s spent a year in the field, traveling around the world doing research for his book. Along the way he’s rescued some of these endangered species, which he keeps in his case, containing a wondrous plethora of terrains. He has amazing empathy with his creatures, although he’s not particularly good with humans. But through the people he meets on this journey, he starts to realize there has been a hole in his life.”

Not long after arriving in New York City, Newt meets three people who will change everything: a witch named Tina Goldstein; her younger sister, Queenie; and, most surprising of all, a No-Maj (a non-magical person) named Jacob Kowalski. It isn’t long before these strangers find a common bond and form an uncommon friendship. Redmayne offers, “Newt essentially stumbles onto them, and throughout the film, their growing camaraderie becomes an essential element of the story.”

“The friendship that develops between the four of them is the most important thing in the movie,” screenwriter J.K. Rowling declares. “It’s always the relationships between the characters in my stories that carry you through.”

Katherine Waterston, who plays Tina, observes that the way these four strangers come together is almost instinctual. “It can be lonely being an oddball until you find other oddballs. Their friendship is not a mere byproduct of the extreme set of circumstances they go through together; it is their common experience as outsiders that draws them to one another.”

“They aren’t caricatures,” insists Alison Sudol, cast in the role of Queenie. “There is a genuine humanity to each of these characters. The things they face are not unlike the things we face in our own lives, but it’s seen through a wizarding angle in a very interesting way.”

Yates adds, “Jo has always been interested in outsiders—people who are misunderstood or who are slightly out of kilter with the rest of society.”

Perhaps the ultimate outsider is Jacob, who is the only one in the foursome without magical powers. Dan Fogler, who plays the role, shares, “Even though ‘Fantastic Beasts’ is an adventure that runs the gamut of action and humor, and with gigantic sets and effects, they did an amazing job honing in on the relationships and the chemistry between these characters. I think audiences will really see themselves in these people…these quirky misfits who form this little team.”

Yates reveals that finding the chemistry began in the audition process. “We started with Eddie as Newt and then built the world around him. It was a bit like putting a band together,” the director laughs. “Eddie flew to New York with us and we auditioned lots of Tinas and Jacobs and Queenies with him in a room. Over a 48-hour period, he did the same scenes over and over again with different people, and out of that process we found our core cast—four actors who all bring something different to the movie in interesting ways that complement one another.”

Redmayne says the results were worth it. “The film revolves around this quartet of people who start out moving in completely opposite directions and end up cohered as friends. It was wonderful getting to work with three such brilliant actors as Katherine, Alison and Dan. We were all bound by this sense of responsibility: we all love the ‘Potter’ films and the world that Jo created for this film and just wanted to do the characters proud.”

“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” opens across the Philippines on Nov. 17 in 2D and 3D in select theatres and IMAX, and is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

© 2016 Warner Bros. Ent. All Rights Reserved.

Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts Publishing Rights © JKR.

Movies: “FANTASTIC BEASTS” CHARACTER POSTERS INTRODUCE FACES OF NEW FRANCHISE

The character posters of Warner Bros. Pictures' new fantasy adventure “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” have just debuted online, allowing fans to get to know the new heroes and villains much better.

To go with the one-sheets, below are the official character descriptions provided by Warner Bros.

NEWT SCAMANDER (Eddie Redmayne)

Newt Scamander is a Magizoologist who has been traveling the world to find and document magical creatures, hoping to educate the wizarding world about why they are important and need to be protected. In his travels, he has rescued a wide variety of beasts, great and small, which he keeps in a case that magically provides more than enough room for the menagerie he cares for and protects. Newt is an outsider, a bit awkward, and more comfortable with creatures than his fellow wizards and witches. Hailing from England, he was once a student at Hogwarts but was expelled for endangering human life with a beast. Yet there was one professor who fought for him, a certain Albus Dumbledore. No one could have imagined then that Newt would someday write one of Hogwarts’ most important textbooks: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

TINA GOLDSTEIN (Katherine Waterston)

Tina (short for Porpentina) Goldstein is a smart and determined witch who lives in New York and works for MACUSA (Magical Congress of the United States of America). She was once an Auror but was demoted to a menial desk job after overstepping her duties when her heart overruled her head and she used unauthorized magic. She wants desperately to regain her status as an investigator, which puts her directly in the path of a visiting wizard named Newt Scamander. Tina is very close to her younger sister and roommate, Queenie.

QUEENIE GOLDSTEIN (Alison Sudol)

Queenie Goldstein is Tina’s vivacious and slightly quirky younger sister, who is undeniably beautiful, but there is much more to her than meets the eye. Queenie works a menial desk job at MACUSA in the same department as Tina, but she doesn’t have her sister’s driving ambition to be an Auror. In fact, truth be told, the free-spirited Queenie would prefer not to work at all. Queenie has a good heart and would do anything for her sister. She is also a Legilimens, meaning she can read minds.

JACOB KOWALSKI (Dan Fogler)

Jacob Kowalski is a No-Maj (American for Muggle) who works in a cannery but dreams of becoming a baker, making fresh and delicious treats. Unable to secure a loan, Jacob seems resigned to his fate, but everything changes when he encounters Newt Scamander and is inadvertently swept up in the mayhem caused by Newt’s magical beasts. At first, Jacob thinks he must be imagining things, but soon realizes he is on an adventure beyond even his wildest dreams.

PERCIVAL GRAVES (Colin Farrell)

Percival Graves is an Auror and the Director of Magical Security at MACUSA, making him one of its highest-ranking and most respected officials. When Graves discovers that Newt Scamander has made an unauthorized trip to New York with a case filled with forbidden magical creatures, he is very suspicious of his intentions and concerned about the potential to break the American wizarding world’s most important law: the Statute of Secrecy. Graves seems to demonstrate care and compassion to the young and particularly vulnerable Credence Barebone. But to what end?

MARY LOU BAREBONE (Samantha Morton)

Mary Lou Barebone is a No-Maj and the outspoken leader of the New Salem Philanthropic Society (NSPS), otherwise known as the Second Salemers. Bent on exterminating all magic, Mary Lou fiercely crusades against the wizards and witches she is convinced live among them. She enlists in the effort her adopted children, who all live in fear of her wrath.

CREDENCE BAREBONE (Ezra Miller)


Credence Barebone, the adopted middle child of Mary Lou Barebone, appears withdrawn, extremely shy and far more vulnerable than his two sisters. Credence is defenseless against the abuse that comes in response to the slightest infraction of Mary Lou’s strict rules. But his loneliness also makes him susceptible to the manipulation of Percival Graves, who has taken a personal interest in Credence.

Movies: FINAL TRAILER OF “FANTASTIC BEASTS” UNLEASHES THE MAGICAL CREATURES

The titular magical creatures are front and center in the newly released final trailer of Warner Bros. Pictures' much-anticipated adventure “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” which returns fans to the J.K. Rowling's wizarding world of Harry Potter, only this time set in New York during the 1920s.

The trailer may be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNGl4K0o52w&feature=youtu.be.

“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” is an all-new adventure returning us to the wizarding world created by J.K. Rowling.

Academy Award winner Eddie Redmayne (“The Theory of Everything”) stars in the central role of wizarding world magizoologist Newt Scamander, under the direction of David Yates, who helmed the last four “Harry Potter” blockbusters.

“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” opens in 1926 as Newt Scamander has just completed a global excursion to find and document an extraordinary array of magical creatures. Arriving in New York for a brief stopover, he might have come and gone without incident … were it not for a No-Maj (American for Muggle) named Jacob, a misplaced magical case, and the escape of some of Newt’s fantastic beasts, which could spell trouble for both the wizarding and No-Maj worlds.

“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” also stars Katherine Waterston (“Steve Jobs”) as Tina; Tony Award winner Dan Fogler (“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”) as Jacob; Alison Sudol (“Transparent”) as Tina’s sister, Queenie; Ezra Miller (“Trainwreck”) as Credence; two-time Oscar nominee Samantha Morton (“In America”) as Mary Lou; Oscar winner Jon Voight (TV’s “Ray Donovan”) as Henry Shaw, Sr.; Ron Perlman (the “Hellboy” films) as Gnarlack; Carmen Ejogo (“Selma”) as Seraphina; Jenn Murray (“Brooklyn”) as Chastity; young newcomer Faith Wood-Blagrove as Modesty; and Colin Farrell (“True Detective”) as Percival Graves.

The film marks the screenwriting debut of J.K. Rowling, whose beloved “Harry Potter” books were adapted into the top-grossing film franchise of all time. Her script was inspired by the Hogwarts textbook “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” written by her character Newt Scamander.

“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” will be shown in 2D and 3D and IMAX on November 17.

Movie News: Meet "Fantastic Beast's" Newt Scamander!

For its upcoming adventure “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” Warner Bros. Pictures has just shared a new featurette titled “Newt Scamander: A New Hero for a New Era of Magic” which may be viewed at https://youtu.be/d_Z-lr_YUcE.

In this featurette, we learn more about Scamander and his personality. We also learn a bit about how the magical world operates in North America, specifically with regards to interactions between wizards and muggles (or as they’re called in America, “no-maj”).

“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” is an all-new adventure returning us to the wizarding world created by J.K. Rowling.

Academy Award winner Eddie Redmayne stars in the central role of wizarding world magizoologist Newt Scamander, under the direction of David Yates, who helmed the last four “Harry Potter” blockbusters.

“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” opens in 1926 as Newt Scamander has just completed a global excursion to find and document an extraordinary array of magical creatures. Arriving in New York for a brief stopover, he might have come and gone without incident … were it not for a No-Maj (American for Muggle) named Jacob, a misplaced magical case, and the escape of some of Newt’s fantastic beasts, which could spell trouble for both the wizarding and No-Maj worlds.

“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” also stars Katherine Waterston (“Steve Jobs”) as Tina; Tony Award winner Dan Fogler (“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”) as Jacob; Alison Sudol (“Transparent”) as Tina’s sister, Queenie; Ezra Miller (“Trainwreck”) as Credence; two-time Oscar nominee Samantha Morton (“In America”) as Mary Lou; Oscar winner Jon Voight (TV’s “Ray Donovan”) as Henry Shaw, Sr.; Ron Perlman (the “Hellboy” films) as Gnarlack; Carmen Ejogo (“Selma”) as Seraphina; Jenn Murray (“Brooklyn”) as Chastity; young newcomer Faith Wood-Blagrove as Modesty; and Colin Farrell (“True Detective”) as Percival Graves.

The film marks the screenwriting debut of J.K. Rowling, whose beloved “Harry Potter” books were adapted into the top-grossing film franchise of all time. Her script was inspired by the Hogwarts textbook “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” written by her character Newt Scamander.

Warner Bros. Pictures has slated “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” for a Philippine release in 2D and 3D in select theatres and IMAX on November 17, 2016.

"Fantastic Beasts" has found it's Newt Scamander in Eddie Redmayne

Academy Award winning actor Eddie Redmayne (The Theory Of Everything) has bigger fish-err- Loch Ness monster to fry as he steps into the shoes of Newt Scamander, the wizarding world's most prominent magizoologist (Magizoology-the study of magical creatures) and author of "Fantastic Beasts and Where to find them" the next movie from the Harry Potter universe. 

After much speculation, the talented actor will be playing Newt Scamander who after graduating from Hogwarts, joined the Ministry of Magic in the Department for the Regulation & Control of Magical Creatures. It is in his career and travels where he encountered and documented different magical creatures which led him to write the book Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find them. The book is mentioned in passing in the first Harry Potter book; Harry Potter And The Sorcerrer's Stone. The events in Fantastic Beasts take place 70 years before the adventures of the boy who lived. 

Author J.K. Rowling is a first time screen writer in the project, she is joined by David Yates who directed the last four Potter films and will continue directing responsibilities in Fantastic Beasts. 

It would be interesting to note that the book on which the film is based comes out more as a textbook rather than your traditional fiction book, so making a movie out of that material should be something to look forward to. Although I've always been a Potterhead so it's no question I'll be watching out for this one :) Plus Eddie Redmayne has been a favorite ever since I saw him play Stephen Hawking in The Theory Of Everything. 

You might want to brush up on Chizpurfle, Diricrawl, Erkling, Fwooper and other fantastic beasts by reading the book, you still have time, Warner Bros. has the movie set for a worldwide release in 3D and IMAX on November 18, 2016.