Wizarding World ‘Fantastic Beasts’ Movies on Hold for Now -Maybe No More Planned

In a recent interview, David Yates said that the latest Wizarding World of Harry Potter prequel movies, “Fantastic Beasts,” were on hold for now. Also, we learned in this recent interview that perhaps there never was intended to be five “Fantastic Beasts” movies.

The “Fantastic Beasts” movie franchise is “parked,” director David Yates said in an interview with Total Film magazine. Yates directed all three “Fantastic Beasts” movies, with Rowling penning each entry. J. K. Rowling had sole screenwriting credit on the first two “Fantastic Beasts” films. Steven Kloves joined in writing on the third movie.

David Yates’ Statements

Yates came to this Wizarding World project as a veteran of the “Harry Potter” franchise. He directed all the “Harry Potter” movies from the fourth to the finale. More interestingly, Yates told Total Film that Rowling’s five-film plan for “Fantastic Beasts” was never communicated to him or others. He indicated that he did not know this plan when he started working on the first “Fantastic Beasts” movie.

This statement by Yates stands in contrast to Rowling’s public statements. Does this explain why the “Fantastic Beasts” movies appear so disjointed? Were there two plans? Is this a new version of history being told to cover up for perceived errors in making these movies?

Yates said. “We made those three movies, the last one through a pandemic, and it was enormous fun but it was tough. We were actually filming when there wasn’t a vaccine. Thankfully, no one got sick, but we did have the most detailed protocols in place.” “We’re all so proud of [‘Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore’] and when it went out into the world, we just needed to sort of stop and pause and take it easy,” Yates added.

“Fantastic Beasts” serves as a prequel to the eight “Harry Potter” movies. Three “Fantastic Beasts” films have been released:

• “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” (2016)
• “The Crimes of Grindelwald” (2018)
• “The Secrets of Dumbledore” (2022)

Box Office Results

These movies have not produced the box office success that Warner Bros. desired or expected. These flat box office returns have led Wizarding World fans to wonder if the other two “supposedly” planned movies will happen. These thoughts started before Yates’ interview, stating the five-movie plan was never communicated to him.

“The idea that there were going to be five films was a surprise to most of us,” Yates said. “Jo (J.K. Rowling) just mentioned it spontaneously, at a press screening once. No one had told us there were going to be five, we’d committed to the first one…”

Of course, the “Fantastic Beasts” movies have faced more than an average amount of controversy and obstacles leading to additional reasons that this franchise might fade away. For example, there was the recasting over the court issue of Johnny Depp, as Mads Mikkelsen took over the role of Gellert Grindelwald. Additionally, Ezra Miller, who plays Credence Barebone/Aurelius Dumbledore, was arrested last year for disorderly conduct did not help. Also, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling continues to face criticism over her comments regarding the trans community.

Bright Side for “Fantastic Beasts” fans

Despite all the gloomy speech about this Wizarding World movie franchise, David Yates also left the door open for the franchise to move on. He said, “I’m sure at some point, we’ll be back. But yeah, I haven’t spoken to Jo, I haven’t spoken to [producer] David Heyman, I haven’t spoken to Warner Bros; we’re just taking a pause. It’s quite nice. It allows me to do stuff like this.”

Yates is in the middle of other projects now. This is why we have this new information about the Wizarding World prequel movies.

For fans who love these characters, it does not sound promising for another movie any time soon. Will there be five movies in total? It sounds like that is anyone’s guess. Let us know what you think in the comments below.