Eddie Redmayne offers a rough update on Fantastic Beasts 4. A spinoff to the beloved Harry Potter films, the prequel series began in 2016 with Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, which was met with critical and commercial success. The sequel subtitled The Crimes of Grindelwald was released two years later and suffered a significant critical and commercial decline. Other than Redmayne, the Fantastic Beasts series also stars Jude Law, Ezra Miller, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, Callum Turner, Jessica Williams, and Katherine Waterston.
Written once again by J.K. Rowling and directed by David Yates, The Secrets of Dumbledore debuted earlier this year to franchise-worst box office returns. The threequel was marred by several controversies including Mads Mikkelson replacing Johnny Depp as Grindelwald, Rowling's controversial comments on transgender people, and Miller's repeated arrests. With the series in disarray and Secrets of Dumbledore marking a low point for the Wizarding World franchise, it's unclear whether Fantastic Beasts will end as a trilogy, or continue on.
During a recent interview with IndieWire promoting his new film The Good Nurse, Redmayne offers a rough update on the future of the Harry Potter spinoff series. The Fantastic Beasts star hasn't heard anything about a potential fourth film, though he would love to play Newt again. Read how Redmayne responds below:
I don’t. It’s more a question for J. K. Rowling and David Yates and Warners, but I don’t know, I’m afraid. I can’t add to that. I love playing Newt, he’s a sweet man.
Will Fantastic Beasts 4 Actually Happen?
Redmayne's comments are just the latest in a long line of bad news for the embattled Fantastic Beasts franchise. Initially planned as a five-film series, poor reception and dwindling financial returns caused Warner Bros. to change course and determine the future of the franchise based on Secrets of Dumblebore's box office, which was the lowest-grossing film in the Wizarding World franchise. Redmayne mentions that a decision is up to Rowling, whose relationship with Warner. Bros remains unclear, and Yates, who has moved on to direct Pain Hustlers for Netflix. There is still some slight hope for Fantastic Beasts 4, though, as the studio hasn't announced an official decision.
Based on the aforementioned factors, it would probably be best if Fantastic Beasts ended as a trilogy. This doesn't mean the Wizarding World has to end altogether, as more Harry Potter spinoffs are still possible, such as an HBO Max series or a Harry Potter and the Cursed Child film adaptation. No matter what spinoffs are pursued or if, by a longshot, Fantastic Beasts 4 actually happens, the focus should be recapturing the magic of Harry Potter if the Wizarding World franchise wishes to thrive again.
Source: IndieWire