Confirmation or Confusion: Is the Fantastic Beasts Franchise Truly Canceled?

Highlights

The future of the Fantastic Beasts franchise has been uncertain since the release of "The Secrets of Dumbledore" and director Yates confirms that it is currently on pause.

Expanding the thin volume of the Fantastic Beasts book into five films may have been a rash decision, ultimately leading to the downfall of the franchise. With J.K. Rowling's controversial views tarnishing her brand, even fans who were once nostalgic are now losing interest in the franchise. Taking a break may be the wisest course of action.

Since the disappointing performance of Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore at the box office, the future of the franchise has been in question. However, a recent statement from a director may provide some clarity for viewers.

Originally conceived as a film centered around a Hufflepuff with a passion for animals, the Harry Potter prequel was based on additional material by the controversial author J.K. Rowling. In the first film, protagonist Newt Scamander, portrayed by Eddie Redmayne, found himself caught up in various adventures while also combating a literal witch hunt. Despite Warner Bros.' initial plans for a five-movie deal, progress on the series has experienced significant delays after the release of the third installment.

With no communication from the production company, the fate of the Fantastic Beasts franchise was uncertain. However, an individual with insider information is now able to provide some clarification. "As far as Beasts is concerned, it is currently on hold," disclosed director Yates during the Inside Total Film podcast. "We completed the third film, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, in 2020 and we couldn't be prouder of it. But after its release, we felt the need to take a step back, pause, and relax."

Yates has had a lengthy career within the Harry Potter universe, which eventually expanded into Newt's adventures. The director has always expressed pride in his work, but has also offered an alternative perspective. It was Rowling who initially proposed the idea of a five-part series for Fantastic Beasts, surprising everyone involved. However, one could argue that this accelerated plan may have been a rash decision and potentially contributed to the downfall of the Fantastic Beasts franchise. Not to mention the controversial opinions held by the author.

The Fantastic Beasts book is a slim volume that lives up to its title - it focuses solely on creatures. Expanding this into one film, let alone five, is a formidable task. Comparable to the adaptation of a single Hobbit book into three films, these movies sometimes struggle to maintain a consistent plot. This likely prompted the exploration of the Dumbledore (Jude Law) and Grindelwald (Mads Mikkelsen) conflict, even though the primary focus should have been on Newt's story. In Secrets of Dumbledore, the two formidable wizards engage in a showdown, but no definitive resolution is reached. The menacing character of Grindelwald escapes to potentially face further battles. While this storyline remains unresolved, it may be for the best.

Rowling's brand is increasingly losing its shine, causing even the most nostalgic fans to lose interest. Ultimately, viewers are well aware of Grindelwald's fate, and there are few untold secrets to uncover. The Fantastic Beasts franchise has veered off course from its original intentions, and taking a break would be the wisest choice.

You can stream Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them on Max.

Source: Inside Total Film (via The Hollywood Reporter)