Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016)

Genre: Fantasy / Adventure
Director: David Yates
Writer: J. K. Rowling (screenplay)
Release Date: November 18, 2016 (United States & United Kingdom)
Runtime: 133 minutes (2h 13min)
Rating: PG-13
Production Company: Warner Bros. Pictures / Heyday Films
Status: Released (First film in the Fantastic Beasts series)

Synopsis

In 1926, British magizoologist Newt Scamander arrives in New York City with a magical suitcase full of fantastic creatures. When some of his beasts escape, Newt finds himself entangled with the American wizarding authorities, a No-Maj (non-magical person) named Jacob Kowalski, and a growing threat that could expose the entire wizarding world. The film explores the fragile relationship between wizards and non-magical people while introducing a host of magical creatures and the early stirrings of dark forces in the Wizarding World.

Main Cast (appearing as)

  • Eddie Redmayne as Newt Scamander
  • Katherine Waterston as Porpentina “Tina” Goldstein
  • Dan Fogler as Jacob Kowalski
  • Alison Sudol as Queenie Goldstein
  • Ezra Miller as Credence Barebone
  • Colin Farrell as Percival Graves
  • Carmen Ejogo as Seraphina Picquery
  • Samantha Morton as Mary Lou Barebone
  • Ron Perlman as Gnarlak
  • Jon Voight as Henry Shaw Sr.
  • Jenn Murray as Chastity Barebone
  • Faith Wood-Blagrove as Modesty Barebone
  • Zoë Kravitz as Leta Lestrange
  • Johnny Depp as Gellert Grindelwald (uncredited cameo / post-credits scene)

Crew

Directed by David Yates

Written by J. K. Rowling

Produced by David Heyman J. K. Rowling Steve Kloves Lionel Wigram

Cinematography Philippe Rousselot

Edited by Mark Day

Music / Original Score James Newton Howard

Production Design Stuart Craig

Costume Design Colleen Atwood

Casting Fiona Weir

Visual Effects Various studios including Framestore, MPC, and Double Negative

Additional Information

  • This is the first installment in the Fantastic Beasts film series and the ninth overall film in the Wizarding World franchise.
  • It serves as a prequel/spin-off to the Harry Potter film series, set approximately 65 years earlier.
  • J. K. Rowling made her screenwriting debut with this film.
  • The movie was a major commercial success, grossing over $814 million worldwide.
  • It received an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects and several other nominations.
  • The cast kept Depp’s cameo secret until release, adding to the surprise for audiences.

Johnny Depp Special Appearance

Johnny Depp as Gellert Grindelwald (uncredited cameo / post-credits style reveal)

Details for Johnny Depp fans: Johnny Depp makes a surprise appearance as the powerful dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald at the very end of the film. Throughout most of the movie, Grindelwald is disguised as Percival Graves (played by Colin Farrell). In the climactic scene, the disguise is removed, revealing Depp’s version of the character with distinctive bleach-blonde hair and a menacing presence.

This brief but impactful cameo was kept largely secret during production and marketing. It serves as the major twist ending and sets up Grindelwald as the central antagonist for the rest of the Fantastic Beasts series. Depp reprised the role in the sequel Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018) before being replaced by Mads Mikkelsen in the third film.


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