Warner's Wizarding Worlds Wanted...

You had to know this was going to happen...

The Bunny's Head Suit Kevin Tsujihara announced that the studio was expanding it's relationship with best selling author, J.K. Rowling yesterday.  It seems both are satisfied with the way the books have been handled in he screen.  And why wouldn't they both be happy?  The "Harry Potter" franchise has generated billions of dollars for the studio/author.

The series is one of the best adaptation of a novel even translated.  Other than Dumbledore being replaced because of the sad passing of the great Richard Harris the casting stayed consistent through all the films.

Fans around the world have wanted more of that world and although we know that the young wizards story has ended, the world Rowling created is so rich with possibilities.  The Warner Suits have wanted to find a way to exploit this more.  Now it looks like they've found a way.

Here's the official press release:

  

Warner Bros. Entertainment today announced an expanded creative partnership with world-renowned, best-selling author J.K. Rowling. At the center of the partnership is a new film series from Rowling’s world of witches and wizards, inspired by Harry Potter’s Hogwarts textbook “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” and the adventures of the book’s fictitious author, Newt Scamander. The announcement was made by Kevin Tsujihara, Chief Executive Officer, Warner Bros. Entertainment. 

“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” will be an original story and will mark Rowling’s screenwriting debut. It is planned as the first picture in a new film series. Set in the wizarding world, the story will feature magical creatures and characters, some of which will be familiar to devoted Harry Potter fans.

“Although it will be set in the worldwide community of witches and wizards where I was so happy for seventeen years, ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’ is neither a prequel nor a sequel to the Harry Potter series, but an extension of the wizarding world,” said Rowling. “The laws and customs of the hidden magical society will be familiar to anyone who has read the Harry Potter books or seen the films, but Newt’s story will start in New York, seventy years before Harry’s gets underway.”

“We are incredibly honored that Jo has chosen to partner with Warner Bros. on this exciting new exploration of the world of wizardry which has been tremendously successful across all of our businesses,” said Tsujihara. “She is an extraordinary writer, who ignited a reading revolution around the world, which then became an unprecedented film phenomenon. We know that audiences will be as excited as we are to see what her brilliant and boundless imagination conjures up for us.”

In addition to the film series, “Fantastic Beasts” will also be developed across the Studio’s video game, consumer products and digital initiatives businesses, including enhanced links with Pottermore.com, Rowling’s digital online experience built around the Harry Potter stories.
The Studio’s expanded partnership with Rowling also covers the continued expansion of its Harry Potter activities, including the wonderful Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme parks in conjunction with partner Universal Parks and Resorts (currently in Orlando, FL; opening in Hollywood, CA and Osaka, Japan), digital initiatives (including Pottermore), video games, consumer products and visitor attractions.

In addition, Warner Bros. will serve as the worldwide TV distributor (excluding the U.K.) of J.K. Rowling’s upcoming television adaptation for the BBC of “The Casual Vacancy,” her best-selling first novel aimed at adult audiences. This miniseries begins production in 2014.
The relationship will be managed in London by Neil Blair of The Blair Partnership, Rowling’s literary agency, and Josh Berger, President & Managing Director, Warner Bros. UK, Ireland and Spain, who will serve as Warner Bros.’ chief business contact for all J.K. Rowling initiatives going forward.

             Rowling’s expanded quote regarding “Fantastic Beasts” is below:

“It all started when Warner Bros. came to me with the suggestion of turning ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’ into a film. I thought it was a fun idea, but the idea of seeing Newt Scamander, the supposed author of ‘Fantastic Beasts,’ realized by another writer was difficult. Having lived for so long in my fictional universe, I feel very protective of it and I already knew a lot about Newt. As hard-core Harry Potter fans will know, I liked him so much that I even married his grandson, Rolf, to one of my favourite characters from the Harry Potter series, Luna Lovegood.
As I considered Warners’ proposal, an idea took shape that I couldn’t dislodge. That is how I ended up pitching my own idea for a film to Warner Bros. 

Although it will be set in the worldwide community of witches and wizards where I was so happy for seventeen years, ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’ is neither a prequel nor a sequel to the Harry Potter series, but an extension of the wizarding world. The laws and customs of the hidden magical society will be familiar to anyone who has read the Harry Potter books or seen the films, but Newt’s story will start in New York, seventy years before Harry’s gets underway.

I particularly want to thank Kevin Tsujihara of Warner Bros. for his support in this project, which would not have happened without him. I always said that I would only revisit the wizarding world if I had an idea that I was really excited about and this is it.”

It'll be interesting seeing what the actual story for this turns out to be because it begins after Newt Scamander completes his book.  So will his adventures be told in flashback or will it involve what came after?  Just like the Star Wars Universe, this magical world is boundless and ready for exploring.

Soon, we'll all be exploring it again...

A Spin Off, Not A Sequel...

Sorry guys, the real world has been invading here at Blue Sky Headquarters...

 And right when I was going to be at Comic Con. But unfortunately more pressing matters have to be addressed. Posts will be sporadic over the next few weeks as things hopefully get back in order. I was planning a whole lot of coverage of Nerdvana, but with my schedule it wasn't to be.

Now of course, I do want to address the news that Zack Snyder and the Bunny let out about the sequel to "Man of Steel" earlier today. First off, people shouldn't be calling it a sequel. It's not. It's a spin off. It looks like as of now, Warner is taking the route of using the character of Superman as an introduction to the rest of the DC Cinematic Universe: first with "Batman Vs. Superman" and then in "Justice League". He's our alien tour guide, really.

 I'm sure that they'll be more films of a solo Clark Kent/Kal-El, but Henry Cavill is signed for three films and they want to be him to walk us into this new universe. I'd expect that before too long they'll renegotiate his contract for more films. They should go the Marvel route and lock them in for six films, not three. Perhaps whoever they get for Batman will be attached for that long. But it looks like we're in for an epic trip over the next few years.

 We'll just have to wait for that Superman film with Brainiac a little longer...