The Plot of “Fantastic Beasts” Has Been Revealed!

It’s been two years since we first learned that Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, a 2001 side project of J.K. Rowling’s published to raise money for charity and give readers a glimpse into the Hogwarts Library, would be made into its very own film series. Just yesterday, we finally got our first glimpse of Newt Scamander and saw hints of what was happening on set, and now we have what we have all been waiting for: a plot synopsis.

WARNING: If you want to go into Fantastic Beasts knowing nothing, STOP reading here! No major spoilers are given away, but the basic outline of the plot is revealed!

Without further adieu, here is how J.K. Rowling and WB are transforming a textbook about magical creatures into a film trilogy:

Eccentric magizoologist Newt Scamander (Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne) comes to New York (for a reason we won’t disclose) with his trusty weathered case. This case is one of those way-way-way-bigger-on-the-inside magical devices, and within are expansive habitats for a collection of rare and endangered magical creatures from Newt’s travels around globe. He discovers the American wizarding community is fearfully hiding from Muggles (who are called “No-Maj” in the States, more on that), and the threat of public exposure is an even graver concern than in the UK (remember the Salem witch trials?). Fantastic Beasts is the story of what happens when this uniquely skilled English wizard travels to wiz-phobic America, and a variety of his creatures, some quite dangerous … get out of their case.

The article also mentions that this wasn’t the first route WB suggested the film take – initially, the company pitched to Rowling a faux documentary about Newt’s travels. I think the end product sounds much more exciting!

There are sure to be more details about the film coming this week! Well – what do you think?!

Jessica J.

I've been making magic at MuggleNet since 2012, when I first joined the staff as a News intern. I've never wavered from the declaration in my childhood journal, circa October 2000: "I LOVE Harry Potter! If I clean my room, my mom says she'll make me a dinner a wizard would love!" Proud Gryffindor; don't hate.