It has been announced this morning that Harry Potter producer David Heyman will indeed be producing the new Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them series! He confirmed the news to Entertainment Weekly at the premiere of his film, Gravity, yesterday evening.
[…] said that Rowling hasn’t turned in a finished script just yet, but that “Jo is at work” and tremendously excited about the project. “She’s not doing it for any other reason other than she loves the world and she had a story that she wanted to tell,” he said.
“It’s incredibly exciting,” he continued. “She doesn’t have to go back to this world, but something pulled her back. This is not Harry Potter. This is not Harry, Ron, and Hermione. This is a separate story within a universe related to the Potter universe.”
When asked about which creatures we might see in the film — you better believe I brought up quintapeds and lethifolds — Heyman demured. “We follow Newt on his adventures,” he said, grinning.
The producer said Rowling has no shortage of plot ideas for Fantastic Beasts because she knows Newt Scamander’s history so thoroughly — after all, she created him. “The fact that she’s going to this world means there are stories to tell,” he said. “When I was doing the Harry Potters, what was clear to me is that Jo’s knowledge of this world is infinite. What you read in the books was just the surface of her knowledge. She had notebook upon notebook of stuff. I would call her and say, ‘What’s the sixth use of dragon’s blood?’ and she’d have it at her fingertips.”
Hypable‘s Andrew Sims had the chance to talk to Harry Potter producer David Heyman today about his newest project, Gravity, and also asked about the new Potter spin-off. He did not say if he was involved in the film, but it sure sounds like he’s invested in it. According to Hypable:
Pressing on, we asked him what his feelings are from the perspective of a fan. “As a fan, as a filmmaker, I am really… really… really excited,” Heyman said to Hypable in what are the first comments from the Harry Potter franchise’s creative team. “She’s a great storyteller, and I’m sure this will be something really great. She wouldn’t do it otherwise – she doesn’t need to do it.”
At least, she doesn’t need to do it because Warner Bros. asked her. He continued, “She’s doing it because she needs to do it because she has a story to tell.”
“It’s going to be very good. I assure you,” he added. Those are big words from one of the closest people connected to the Harry Potter movies.
We’ve learned that J.K Rowling along with many of the Harry Potter cast and crew were also at the inauguration of the updated WB Studio Tour London with The Royal Family. Additionally, Prince Harry’s Facebook page has been updated with numerous photos of the trio – not the Potter trio of course; Harry, William and Kate – touring the Harry Potter section. UPDATE: The Duchess’ Facebook also has an album with photos from the day.
The following members of the Potter family were in attendance: David Heyman, David Yates, Mike Newell and Matthew Lewis . We will have photos of them as soon as they become available. For now view these (which will be updated as more appear online):
Today we have our video footage from the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter Grand Opening which was held at the studio s on March 31st! We caught up with Rupert Grint, Tom Felton, Bonnie Wright, Harry Melling, Evanna Lynch, David Barron, David Yates, David Heyman, David Bradley, and Nick Moran. I apologize for the sound, it was very windy so sometimes the sound cuts out. You can also view our photos from the even in the gallery.
Make sure to visit wbstudiotour.co.uk today to book your visit to the studios! Prices range from £21 for a child to £28 for an adult for the basic package and £30.95 (child to £39.95 (adult) for the complete package which includes the souvenir guidebook and digital guide.
Since we will not have our actual photos and videos up for a few days I thought I would let everyone know what is coming from the Grand Opening of Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter. Myself, Feltbeats and Harry Potters Page worked together to get photos and interviews with the stars.
We interviewed Tom Felton, Rupert Grint, Bonnie Wright, Harry Melling, Nick Moran, David Bradley, Nick Dudman, Mike Newell, Director David Yates, and Producers David Heyman, and David Barron. We also have footage of Alfonso Cuaron, Evanna Lynch, George Harris and a few others. In addition to interviews we also spotted David Thewlis, Natalia Tena, Warwick Davis, Alfie Enoch, Helen McCrory, Chris Rankin.
Just as a teaser we asked Harry Melling (Dudley) what it was like moving from playing a muggle in Harry Potter to a wizard in the last series of Merlin!
Photos and video will be up as soon as possible when I get home! We will also have a video from the press conference held last Thursday when WB sends it over! So make sure to stay tuned!
Producer David Heyman recently discussed the Harry Potter series with Variety. He talks about the films award chances, his views on the success of the films and his production company, Heyday Films.
CG: Do you attribute that success to being faithful to the books and keeping fans happy? (Author J.K. Rowling’s) books provide a loyal fanbase, but I also think we made films that stood on their own terms. You never see “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” with film covers. Jo was very keen to keep the books and the films separate. They’re very different. Clearly, the success of the books has made the films possible and fueled their success, but it’s amazing what percentage of filmgoers did not come to the films from the books.
CG: You famously optioned the first book in the galley stage in 1999, not knowing its franchise potential … I never viewed it as a franchise. It’s a series of films, one film at a time. That’s always been the way we have approached it. This label ‘franchise’ … that’s not where it began.
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