‘Fantastic Beasts And Where to Find Them’ Movie: Warner Bros. Shares Update On J.K. Rowling Franchise

The next J.K. Rowling venture is about to begin. With the first installment in the “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” franchise just shy of 18 months away from its worldwide debut, Warner Bros. Chairman and CEO, Kevin Tsujihara, shared an update on the highly-anticipated action/adventure series at CinemaCon, the official convention of the National Association of Theatre Owners, in Las Vegas Tuesday.

“We couldn’t be more excited,” Tsujihara said of the “Fantastic Beasts” film at Warner Bros. 2015 presentation at Caesar’s Palace when discussing what he has seen of the first film so far. He also confirmed what was previously announced by the studio, that the forthcoming “Fantastic Beasts” film will only be the first of “at least three films.”

“We’re already working on your blockbusters for the next five years,” Tsujihara said after discussing “Fantastic Beasts” and dozens of other films the studio has in the lineup in the coming years.

While the studio did not share any footage of the anticipated action/adventure, they did flash what appeared to be a quick logo for the film on the screen at the beginning of its 2-hour presentation. It was not confirmed if that will be the official lettering for the movie.

Tsujihara reminded audiences that the “Fantastic Beasts” films, which is being penned by “Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling, is the British author’s first screenwriting venture. “Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them” was a short story published by Rowling in 2001 and is based in the magical world made famous by the “Potter” book series and films.

While “Fantastic Beasts” is set in Rowling’s magical universe, it will not involve Harry Potter and his friends. Warner Bros. previously confirmed that the films will take place 70 years before the events in the “Potter” series and will star Newt Scamander, a “magizoologist” from New York City.

The film is being directed by David Yates and is rumored to be staring Oscar-winner Eddie Redmayne. “Fantastic Beast and Where To Find Them” is scheduled to debut in theaters Novemeber 18, 2016.