Since it started in 2016, critical praise for the “Fantastic Beasts” series hasn’t panned out exactly as Warner Bros. anticipated. Still, this is a “Harry Potter“-adjacent franchise, so it’s a cash cow, albeit not the biggest one in the studio’s pasture. The first in the series netted $816 million at the box office, and its 2018 sequel, “The Crimes Of Grindelwald,” $654 million, both on $200 million budgets.
So, how will the third film in the series, “Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets Of Dumbledore,” fare with audiences after COVID-19 delayed its release a bit? Answers come soon as the film hits theaters in April. The new movie follows up where the last one left off, as the Wizarding World braces for the start of World War II and Grindelwald’s rise to power.
Here’s the film’s official synopsis:
Professor Albus Dumbledore knows the powerful Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald is moving to seize control of the wizarding world. Unable to stop him alone, he entrusts Magizoologist Newt Scamander to lead an intrepid team of wizards, witches and one brave Muggle baker on a dangerous mission, where they encounter old and new beasts and clash with Grindelwald’s growing legion of followers. But with the stakes so high, how long can Dumbledore remain on the sidelines?
“The Secrets of Dumbledore” sees the return of many series regulars, including Eddie Redmayne, Jude Law, and Ezra Miller. Mads Mikkelson takes over for Johnny Depp as dark wizard Gellert Gindelwald. The film also stars Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, Callum Turner, Jessica Williams, and Katherine Waterston.
David Yates returns to direct the film. Also are returning are screenwriters J.K. Rowling and Steve Kloves, Yates longtime editor Mark Day, and composer James Newton Howard.
Will “The Secrets Of Dumbledore” be a bounce-back in critical reception for the “Fantastic Beasts” series? Find out on April 15, when the movie hits theaters and IMAX. Watch the new trailer below.