Fantastic Beasts continues the enchantment

Following the huge worldwide success of the Harry Potter books and films, it was decided to create a wider universe. The Fantastic Beasts film series is a real expansion of this universe, allowing author J.K. Rowling to take on the screenplay, while adding world-famous stars such as Johnny Depp, Mads Mikkelsen and Jude Law to the cast.

The adventure begins in 1926

Long before the events depicted in the Harry Potter films, and even before the birth of our famous apprentice wizard, disturbing events are taking place that threaten the fragile balance between the wizarding world and the muggle world.

It all starts with a simple comedy accident: the main character, Norbert Dragonneau (or Newt Scamander in English) is a magizoologist who transports fantastic creatures in his magic suitcase. After a suitcase mix-up, a baker? Jacob Kowalski, accidentally lets several creatures escape in New York.

So Norbert has to get his creatures back, something he had already started to do with a Niffler he had let escape earlier. But what could be a simple, funny story becomes a real fantasy thriller. The incident takes place at a time when danger is already lurking. The MACUSA (Magical Congress of the USA) and its director Percival Graves are investigating supernatural events that raise fears of the return of Gellert Grindewald, a powerful black magician who had disappeared shortly before.

First successful film

The first film, "Fantastic Beasts", released in 2016 and directed by David Yates from a screenplay by J.K Rowling, was a huge commercial and critical success. It perfectly depicts a world where tensions between muggles and wizards come to a head, while an enigmatic black magician seems to be lurking nearby. Conflicts also arise between wizards, particularly for cultural reasons that divide the wizards of America and those of England. Norbert Dragonneau comes from England and finds it difficult to respect certain rules specific to American wizards.

To this complex but accessible, captivating and funny story, we must add a hell of a cast. As well as Johnny Depp, there are stars like Colin Farrell, Dan Fogler, Ezra Miller and Eddie Redmayne in the lead role.

Convincing sequels

2018 saw the release of the sequel, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindewald. This sequel takes the story back to England, to London, and also to Hogwarts. It places much more emphasis on character development, particularly Grindewald (Johnny Depp), who works to ensure that wizards dominate Muggles entirely.

This film introduced the character of Albus Dumbledore, a young man played by Jude Law.

Then, in 2022, Fantastic Beasts: Dumbledore's Secrets was released. Here, Johnny Depp is replaced by Mads Mikkelsen. The plot takes place partly in Berlin in the 1930s, and partly in China. Norbert is tasked by Dumbledore with preventing Grindewald from being elected supreme wizard, which may well happen because of his manipulative charisma.

Charismatic characters

The plot of the films revolves mainly around Gellert Grindewald, a particularly charismatic wizard-politician. Appearing pleasant and charming, he seems to campaign for the greater good, and his words reach a wide audience. He exerts great influence over many wizards, which puts the world in danger. The parallels are quickly drawn with the political events of the 1930s in Europe.

On the other hand, the film series develops one of the favourite characters of the Harry Potter saga, the mysterious wizard Dumbledore. We learn about his youth, his personality and his ideology. One of the most interesting aspects of the plot is the link he has forged with Grindewald: the two characters made a blood pact when they were young, which prevents Dumbledore from attacking Grindewald directly. To thwart Grindewald's evil plans, Dumbledore must rely on Norbert's help.

While we wait for the next two sequels, because the series is supposed to include 5 films, you'll find a whole range of Fantastic Beasts goodies and accessories in our geek shop. This is your chance to get your hands on fantastic animals like the niffleur or the botruc, not forgetting the occamy.