As production began for JK Rowling's Harry Potter spin-off movie, "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them," so did reports of rumors, spoilers and details of the film begin popping. The latest details emerged last week, and it includes some surprising spoilers about the film's plot, setting and characters.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the Warner Bros. studio in Leavesden, London, has already been transformed into 1926 New York. While it is a guarantee that a spectacular production designs will be featured in "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them," it remains to be seen whether fans will be welcoming of the new film.
As Entertainment Weekly leaked a massive amount of "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" new details this week, Harry Potter fans' reactions have reportedly been less than stellar.
Here's what we know so far about "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them":
- The Term "No-maj"
According to USA Today, fans are furious with Rowling's decision of having American wizards call non-magical people "no-maj," which is short for "no magic." In the "Harry Potter" world, they are called "Muggles." The term is short for "no magic." Apparently, the term will be used quite frequently in the film.
On Twitter, many have reacted negatively to the news, according to The Inquisitr.
See the Tweets here, here, here, here and here.
- "No-majs" Will Be Dangerous
Unfortunately, in "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them," the American non-magical folk, or no-majs, are feared by the American witches and wizards. In fact, they are "fearfully hiding from Muggles."
Apparently, a group of Muggles who hates magic (witch hunters) have called themselves the New Salem Philanthropic Society, or "New Salemers," named after the Salem Witch Trials. The group reportedly wants to wipe out the entire wizarding community population. They will be led by a woman named Mary-Lou (Samantha Morton).
- Newt Scamander and His Three Friends
In "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them," the main character Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) will have three friends along with him throughout his journey. They will be the other main characters in the film. They include Magical Congress of the United States of America (MACUSA) employee Porpentina "Tina" Goldstein (Katherine Waterston), Tina's legilimens sister, Queenie (Alison Sudol) and No-Maj factory worker Jacob (Dan Fogle).
- New Beasts
Of course, as the name of the movie itself implies, "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" will introduce new beasts.
Newt is to have a treasure-hunting pet called a Niffler. While playful, Niffler tend to be "aggravating" at times, with a habit of taking off at the sight of gold.
A scary creature called Lethifold will also be introduced. They are described as "cloak-like creature that suffocates people in their sleep."
The more familiar merpeople, which appeared in "The Goblet of Fire," will also be appearing in the upcoming film.
- Newt's Traveling Zoo
Newt's battered briefcase, which he carries around all the time, is reportedly a magical item which holds all the rare magical creatures that he has collected, and all are in their natural habitats.
Read more details of the new magical creatures here.
While the above details/spoilers have been spilled about "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them," it remains unknown what Newt's motive is for visiting New York in the film. The details of that are being kept under wraps.
For now, fans have come up with three theories. First is that his skills as a magizoologist will be needed in the city. Second, he might have been hired to capture the magical creatures running amok in Central Park. Third, his expertise might be needed to save an endangered fantastic beast losing its natural habitat because of human activities.
"Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" is set for release November 18, 2016.
Check out the poster for "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" here.
