Wizarding Week in Review

Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them Premiere in New York

Last night, New York City was descended upon by wizards and witches from around the globe for the premiere of Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them. JK Rowling was in attendance as well as some familiar faces from the Harry Potter series; Evanna Lynch and Bonnie Wright. 

‘Fantastic Beasts’ Casting – Johnny Depp Confirmed to Play Grindelwald

Last week we reported the rumor of Johnny Depp being cast as Gellert Grindelwald in the upcoming Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them. This week David Yates, the film’s director, confirmed that rumor. Grindelwald was the darkest wizard of his day with a radical anti-Muggle agenda. In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1, a young Grindelwald is seen in flashbacks stealing the elder wand from wand maker Mykew Gregorovitch. The greatest significance of this announcement is we will also get to see a younger Albus Dumbledore. Dumbledore is famous for having dueled and defeated Grindelwald, it’s one of the accomplishments listed on Dumbledore’s chocolate frog card. Yates also confirmed that Michael Gambon will not return to play Dumbledore. Casting for this younger Dumbledore is still underway.  

David Yates also revealed that despite the current ‘Fantastic Beasts’ movie taking place in America, the second film will move back across the pond to Europe. Yates stated the next film will take place in the UK and Paris. 

‘Cursed Child’ Play/Actors & Harry Potter Alum Nominated for London Evening Standard Awards

 The London Evening Standard Awards take place this Sunday, November 13 and many familiar names are among those nominated to win top prizes.

Two Harry Potter alum, Ralph Fiennes (Voldemort) and Sir Kenneth Branagh (Gilderoy Lockhart) have been nominated for Best Actor awards. Noma Dumezweni (Hermione, ‘Cursed Child’) and Helen McCrory (Narcissa Malfoy) are nominated for Best Actress. Noma is nominated for her performance in Jerwood Downstairs not ‘Cursed Child’. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has been nominated for best play. Anthony Boyle (Scorpious Malfoy, ‘Cursed Child’) is also nominated for the Emerging Talent award. A full list of nominees can be found here. 

 ‘Fantastic Beasts’ Ride Rumored to Replace The Dragon Challenge at Universal Studios Orlando

Universal Studios Orlando applied for a patent a few months back that showed an interactive ride concept. While this in itself is not Earth-shattering; major theme parks often patent ride ideas without the ride ever coming to fruition. Rumors have since begun swirling that Universal Studios will model this interactive ride after the new Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them movie. With limited space and the Dragon Challenge ride at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter losing popularity with park guests suggests that the park will remove the ride and replace it with this interactive experience. A concept drawing of the ride shows a passenger car from which ride-goers might be able to “cast spells” at objects as it travels. 

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