Rumors regarding Marvel’s Fantastic Four casting have been swirling around for years, with dozens of actors being discussed online for the quartet. Recently, another actor has thrown his hat into the ring for the much-anticipated Marvel film. Dan Fogler recently responded to a fan on Twitter claiming he would be perfect for the role of The Thing. It seems like the Fantastic Beasts actor would definitely be game. 

The fan in question expressed that most fans get lazy with fan-casting, and how Fogler would fit into the comic book world "as an actor who you could easily envision as Jack Kirby in a biopic."  Fogler agreed, saying that the character would be a “dream role” for him. Check out the interaction below.

Dan Fogler is no stranger to franchise films. He has been a prominent supporting character in the Harry Potter spin-off series Fantastic Beasts for three blockbuster fantasy adventures. However, due to the uncertain nature of the future of the wizarding franchise, Fogler’s schedule may just be clearing up. I could definitely see him in the role, and his reverence for The Thing would mean Fogler would give the character his all. 

The Fantastic Four film was recently confirmed by Marvel at San Diego Comic Con after much fan speculation. Disney is currently in talks with WandaVision director Matt Shakman to helm the film, and while no confirmations have been made quite yet, Shakman did recently leave the upcoming Star Trek 4 due to scheduling conflicts. 

While nothing is set in stone regarding Fantastic Four, this hasn’t stopped fans from making their own predictions as to who will be cast in the big screen reimagining of these beloved heroes. Fans are still anxiously awaiting to learn whether or not John Krasinski will be reprising his role as Reed Richards. How Marvel will play things after Krasinski portrayed the character in Dr. Strange and the Multiverse of Madness is unclear.

Along with Dan Fogler, Stranger Things Season 4 star Joseph Quinn has recently emerged as a fan favorite for the Human Torch, a.k.a. Johnny Storm. Speculation regarding Bryce Dallas Howard taking on the role of Susan Storm has also been circulating, but the Jurassic World: Dominion actress recently asserted that it is all just rumors. 

We will just have to wait and see if any fan castings of the much anticipated Marvel film will come into fruition when Fantastic Four kick-starts Phase 6 of the MCU on November 8, 2024.

In the meantime, you can catch Dan Fogler in The Offer, streaming exclusively for Paramount+ subscribers. You can also catch him in the Fantastic Beasts trilogy, currently streaming on HBO Max. 

For more information about future Marvel projects, check out our Marvel movie release schedule, which is consistently being updated.

When it comes to animated films, it’s never a big surprise that a ton of stars tend to join those casts, and now, DC’s League of Super Pets has added to that with their list of stars, from action heroes such as Dwayne Johnson to comedians like Kevin Hart. But with so many characters and so many amazing cast members, you might be wondering where you’ve seen - or heard - them before. 

If you’re like me and trying to see exactly where these famous faces were from, check out where you might have seen the DC’s League of Super Pets voice cast before. 

Dwayne Johnson (Krypto The Super-Dog) 

Starting off with the main hero in DC’s League of Super Pets, we have Krypto, a character I’m pretty familiar with from the Krypto the Super-Dog TV show from a long time ago - but now, he’s in a movie and is voiced by the fabulous Dwayne Johnson. If you don’t know that name, surely you have been living under a rock (pun intended). While he started off his career in the WWE, Johnson continues to prove how talented he is as a movie star. 

He played Maui in Moana, and has appeared in films such as the comedy, The Game Plan, the Jumanji series, Central Intelligence, Rampage, the Fast and Furious series, Skyscraper, Jungle Cruise, and more. He also had a pretty big year in 2021 with the release of Red Notice on Netflix.

Johnson has also had some experience with television as well, producing (and appearing) in the NBC series, Young Rock, as well leading the series, Ballers. 

Kevin Hart (Ace The Hound)

Next up on this list, we have everyone’s favorite hilarious comedian, Kevin Hart, who plays Ace in DC’s League of Super Pets. Hart has been in many movies and produced some hilarious comedy specials, so I wouldn’t be surprised if you’ve seen him before. 

Some of his biggest roles thus far have included Night School, Think Like A Man, Ride Along, The Man From Toronto, About Last Night, and the drama, Fatherhood, alongside many others. This is also the fourth time that Hart and Johnson have collaborated together on a film, with the first being Central Intelligence, and the next two being the Jumanji series. Since these two are always ripping on each other, it’ll be fun to watch the press tour for DC’s League of Super Pets. 

Kate McKinnon (Lulu The Guinea Pig)

Moving on, we now have Kate McKinnon, who voices Lulu the Guinea Pig in DC’s League of Super Pets. If that name sounds familiar to you, it’s because McKinnon was a huge star on NBC’s Saturday Night Live before she left in 2022, but besides her big role on the sketch series, this actress has done plenty. 

Some of her biggest roles this far was being a part of the Bombshell cast, starring in 2016’s Ghostbusters, and the films The Spy Who Dumped Me and Yesteryear, among others. She also had a starring role in the Peacock original series, Joe vs. Carole, playing Carole Baskin. 

John Krasinski (Superman)

Next up on this list we have John Krasinski, who voiced Superman in DC’s League of Super Pets. As someone who has followed Krasinski for a long time, I can’t think of anyone better to voice the superhero in this film. One of his most famous roles was portraying Jim Halpert as part of The Office cast, and becoming the second half to one of the cutest relationships on television, but Krasinski has done plenty of other fun roles. 

Krasinski directed both A Quiet Place movies, while starring in the first one, and has appeared in other films such as Away We Go, It’s Complicated, Big Miracle, and more, and had voice roles in the Pixar film Monsters University, as well as the Hayao Miyazaki film, The Wind Rises. 

The actor has also dived back into television, starring as Jack Ryan in the titular series on Amazon Prime, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan. In 2022, he appeared as Reed Richards in Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. 

Vanessa Bayer (PB The Potbelly Pig)

Moving on, we take a look at Vanessa Bayer, who voiced PB the Potbelly Pig in DC’s League of Super Pets. Bayer is another Saturday Night Live alumni and is funny as all heck, but she has also been in plenty of other movies and TV shows as well. 

Some of her biggest movies have been Trainwreck, Office Christmas Party, Ibiza, Barb and Star Go To Vista del Mar, and more. She also has the lead role in the Showtime comedy, I Love That For You, and has guest starred on many other TV shows as well. 

Natasha Lyonne (Merton The Turtle)

Natasha Lyonne voices Merton the Turtle in DC’s League of Super Pets, and has had quite the career in both movies and TV. For the last couple of years, she’s starred in Russian Doll on Netflix, but prior to that, she was a big part of the Orange is the New Black cast, where she played Nicky. However, Lyonne has done much more in the film and television industry than just her roles on TV. 

Some of her biggest roles have been in the American Pie cast, Ad Astra, The United States vs. Billie Holiday, Scary Movie 2, But I’m A Cheerleader, Sleeping With Other People, and many others. 

Diego Luna (Chip The Squirrel)

Moving on, we now take a look at Diego Luna, who voices Chip the Squirrel in DC’s League of Super Pets. Luna has been an even bigger star in Hollywood lately, mainly thanks to his huge role in the popular Star Wars film, Rouge One: A Star Wars Story, where he played Cassian Andor - a role he is set to reprise in the upcoming Disney+ series, Andor, following the character before the film. 

However, Luna has done plenty of other projects you might recognize. He had a big role on the Netflix series, Narcos: Mexico, where he played Miguel Angel Felix Gallardo. He also has appeared in a variety of movie roles, including several Spanish films, Berlin, I Love You, A Rainy Day In New York, Wander Darkly, If Beale Street Could Talk, and more. 

Marc Maron (Lex Luthor)

Marc Maron voices the legendary villain, Lex Luthor, in DC’s League of Super Pets, and he has done plenty in the movie and TV business. Maron is mainly known for his comedy, and has had several guest appearances on late night talk shows, such as the Late Show with David Letterman and Late Night with Conan O’Brien, but he’s done plenty on his own. He hosted his own talk show, The Marc Maron Show, and co-hosted both Morning Sedition and Breakroom Live. 

Maron has also acted plenty before, doing movies such as Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates, Stardust, Joker, Respect, and more. He’s also appeared in many TV shows, including having his own series, Maron, and appearing in shows such as Easy, The Simpsons, and Roadies among others. He also had a co-starring role in the cancelled-too-soon Netflix series, GLOW. 

Keanu Reeves (Batman)

I don’t think I could have pictured a better casting for the role of Batman in DC’s League of Super Pets than Keanu Reeves himself, and it’s so cool to see him voicing this awesome role. Reeves has been in Hollywood for decades, and is one our our most enduring action stars. 

Reeves’ biggest roles have definitely been the Bill & Ted film series, his starring part in The Matrix Series, as well as his titular role in the John Wick movie saga, which is getting a fourth movie in 2023. However, Reeves has plenty of other major films, such as Constantine, The Day The Earth Stood Still, Street Kings, The Lake House, Already Gone, and more. He even had a voice role in Pixar’s Toy Story 4 as Duke Caboom.

Thomas Middleditch (Keith a.k.a. Ice Guinea Pig) 

Moving on, we now take a look at Thomas Middleditch, who voices Keith, known as the Ice Guinea Pig in DC’s League of Super Pets. Middleditch is primarily known for his role on the hit HBO series, Silicon Valley, but has done plenty of other roles that you might recognize him from. 

He has done voice roles in shows such as Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero, and the Hulu original series, Solar Opposites, and had a main role in the TV series, B Positive. He also had a voice role in the movie Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie, and has done live-action roles in movies such as Someone Marry Barry, The Bronze, Once Upon A Time in Venice, Tag, Zombieland: Double Tap, and more. 

Ben Schwartz  (Mark a.k.a. Fire Guinea Pig) 

Next up, we have Ben Schwartz, who voices Mark, known as the Fire Guinea Pig in DC’s League of Super Pets. Schwartz was primarily known for his role in the Parks and Recreation cast, but has since gone on to do plenty of other fun parts. 

Some of his biggest film roles have included voicing the titular character in the Sonic the Hedgehog movies, and appearing in Peep World, This Is Where I Leave You, Flora & Ulysses, Falling Down, The Walk, and more. Schwartz has also had a prominent TV career besides Parks and Recreation, having roles in TV shows like Netflix’s Space Force, the comedy series The Afterparty on Apple TV+, House of Lies, Ducktales, Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and many more. 

Additional Voices

Lastly, there are plenty of other additional voices in DC’s League of Super Pets that we should take the time to mention. 

These include Olivia Wilde as Lois Lane, Yvette Nicole Brown as Patty, Jameela Jamil as Wonder Woman, Jemaine Clement as Aquaman, Daveed Diggs as Cyborg, Alfred Molina as Jor-El, Lena Headey as Lara, Keith David as Dog-El, Busy Philipps as Foofy Dog, Maya Erskine as Mercy Graves, and Dan Folger in the additional roles of Carl, Pilot, and Radio. 

Goodness, with so many names on here, you might think we were going to an awards show of some kind, but this is just the talent that DC’s League of Super Pets has, and it’ll be a super time wondering where these actors go next after suiting up in their fluffy suits.  

Warning: spoilers for Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore are in play. If you haven’t seen the movie yet, use the nearest Portkey to jump to another piece of coverage at CinemaBlend.

Believe it or not, the romantic angles from the Fantastic Beasts films are pretty popular with the Wizarding World fanbase. One particular favorite that people have watched with keen interest is that of Dan Fogler’s Jacob Kowalski and Alison Sudol’s Queenie Goldstein. With Fantastic Beasts 3 still playing its role in the world of 2022 movie releases, Fogler has shared some never-before-seen photos from the set, and he’s really excited to do so!

Taking to his Instagram profile, the actor shared some spoilery photos that people who haven’t taken this trip may want to shy away from. The first two shots are of particular interest, with Dan Fogler and Alison Sudol sharing a special moment from the ending to Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore. Consider this your last chance to avoid spoilers and/or to get tissues for the happy tears you may shed: 

Before we get too into any other details about why Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore may have played this particular card, let’s just revel in the Jacob and Queenie beauty. After their romance took a controversial twist in The Crimes of Grindelwald, the third Fantastic Beasts film saw this one true pair finally getting married in the bakery he opened at the conclusion of the first chapter. Using the bakery as a continued source of memories from their relationship, the movie couldn’t have used a better venue to celebrate their love. 

Romance comes with some bittersweet consequences yet again, only this time it’s the Fantastic Beasts franchise that’s endangered. With the underwhelming performance of The Secrets of Dumbledore, the more love-centric resolution to J.K. Rowling and David Yates’ screenplay could serve as somewhat of an ending for the struggling series. That is, if Warner Bros. doesn’t decide to do something like shift this traditionally theatrical franchise to streaming as an exclusive for HBO Max subscribers.

Fantastic Beasts 4’s future is still up for debate, as is the final movie in the planned give movie cycle. At the very least, the ending to Fantastic Beasts 3 had the mercy to end with a comparative high note, without any unresolved cliffhangers in the air. Jacob and Queenie will live happily ever after, as will Newt Scamander and Tina Goldstein. It would be nice to see how those results make their way to the history books, but we’ll just have to savor this moment while we can. 

Audience members who still want to get out there and support Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore can head to the movies and do just that. Don't forget that a quick refresher can be had with the first two Fantastic Beasts films, as they're streaming on HBO Max at the time of this writing.

As one of the most famous films of all time, The Godfather has long been discussed by a plethora of cinephiles, and served as the subject of many written behind-the-scenes accounts and DVD featurettes. But no live-action project has taken the particular viewpoint that Paramount+’s The Offer is giving its subscribers, as it lays out producer Albert S. Ruddy’s version of the obstacle-filled path that was taken that led to the first part of Francis Ford Coppola’s magnum opus’ existence. Playing The Offer’s Coppola is Walking Dead vet and Fantastic Beasts franchise trumpeter Dan Fogler, who is a big fan of the director’s reported impetus for crafting The Godfather’s iconic action sequences. 

When CinemaBlend spoke with The Offer cast members Dan Fogler and Patrick Gallo (who portrays author Mario Puzo), I brought up the streaming drama’s scenes depicting real-world inspirations behind some of The Godfather’s most memorable moments. And Fogler shared his appreciation for Francis Ford Coppola creating cinematic gold born from others’ lack of faith in his talents. In his words:

Few things serve as better motivation than someone saying “You don’t have what it takes to do this.” So this almost feels like a case where the world at large should be grateful for anybody involved at the time who wouldn’t use “Francis Ford Coppola” and “director of solid action scenes” in the same sentence. For their words paved the way for Al Pacino to kick off his future highlight reel with a particularly brutal pair of murders, as well as setting the course for Michael Corleone’s underworld ascent.

Dan Fogler then brought up The Godfather co-star James Caan, whose character Sonny unforgettably suffered a fate similar to that of the likewise bravado-driven Bonnie and Clyde. As the actor put it:

In a world where an entire sub-industry exists for “direct-to-consumer” action flicks that would never see the lights of a proper theater, it’s obviously a different time than the early 1970s when The Godfather was coming together. But I can’t imagine many, if any, of that sub-industry’s releases have the kind of action-oriented backstories as that of the 1973 Best Picture winner, as depicted in The Offer’s first season. 

Certainly, Francis Ford Coppola’s masterpiece would earn the same kind of consideration even without its noteworthy shootouts and brawls. But as evidenced by Dan Fogler, those sequences are definitely part of the reason we’re still talking about and watching The Godfather to this day. 

We’re also talking about The Godfather due to The Offer itself, which debuted with a three-episode premiere on Paramount+, with new episodes hitting the streaming service every Thursday. While waiting to see Grey’s Anatomy vet Justin Chambers as Marlon Brando, be sure to check out everything else on the way with our 2022 TV premiere schedule!

Fifty years after its release, The Godfather is still considered one of the best movies of all time, a once-in-a-generation film that helped launch the careers of some of the greatest actors of the second half of the 20th Century, and ushered in a new era of gangster films. But, Francis Ford Coppola’s masterful adaptation of Mario Puzo’s classic novel almost never was, if it were not for the handful of powerful players behind the scenes, who we see in The Offer.

The long-awaited Paramount+ original series that has been the topic of discussion for what seems like years now has finally arrived on the popular streaming service, and you may be wondering where you’ve seen the members of The Offer cast before. Below is a breakdown of those actors, who they’re playing, and everything else you need to know…

Miles Teller (Albert S. Ruddy)

At the center of The Offer is Miles Teller, who takes on the role of Academy Award-winning producer Albert S. Ruddy, the man who spearheaded Paramount Pictures’ development of The Godfather as well as several other high-profile projects over the years.

Throughout his career, Teller has been involved with Academy Award-winning pictures himself, including the 2014 drama Whiplash. His other notable film projects include The Spectacular Now, the Divergent series, War Dogs, Only The Brave, and Fantastic Four. He is set to appear in Top Gun: Maverick, which is on track to open on Memorial Day weekend.

Matthew Goode (Robert Evans)

Matthew Goode shows up in The Offer as Robert Evans, the film producer and executive who was in charge of Paramount Pictures during the development, production, and release of The Godfather. 

No stranger to the medium of television (and streaming shows), Goode has had notable roles on series like Downton Abbey, The Good Wife, The Crown, and most recently, A Discovery of Witches. Over the years, his film work has been just as impressive with major roles in movies like Watchmen, The Imitation Game, Silent Night, and The King’s Man.

Juno Temple (Bettye McCartt)

Taking on the role of talent scout Bettye McCartt in The Offer cast is Juno Temple, whom Apple TV+ subscribers will immediately recognize for her work on the Emmy Award-winning comedy series, Ted Lasso.

But, Temple’s portrayal of Keeley Jones on one of the most wholesome comedies around isn’t where the actress’ list of great shows and movies starts or stops. Throughout her career, Temple has made appearances on shows like Drunk History, Dirty John, and Vinyl, as well as a list of movies that includes Black Mass, The Dark Knight Rises, Killer Joe, Wonder Wheel, and a couple dozen others.

Giovanni Ribisi (Joe Colombo)

Giovanni Ribisi shows up on The Offer as Joe Colombo, the New York crime boss and leader of the Colombo crime family, who helped gain the blessing from the city’s Five Families so that production of The Godfather could go down in the Big Apple.

Ribisi, who is one of many actors to play multiple role on one show with his work on Friends, has appeared on countless TV shows over the years, including The Wonder Years, My Name Is Earl, Dads, and Sneaky Pete, to name just a few. His film work includes Saving Private Ryan, Boiler Room, Lost in Translation, and Selma. Ribisi also portrayed Parker Selfridge in Avatar, and will reprise the role in the upcoming sequels to James Cameron’s box office smash, per Deadline.

Dan Fogler (Francis Ford Coppola)

Taking on the role of Academy Award winner Francis Ford Coppola on The Offer is Dan Fogler, who looks remarkably similar to the acclaimed filmmaker.

Fans of the Wizarding World will immediately recognize Fogler thanks to his portrayal of Jacob Kowalski in the Fantastic Beasts franchise, but he has a lot more to his name than that. Over the years, Fogler has shown up in movies like Balls of Fury, Fanboys, Don Peyote, Europa Report, and others. He has also had a major role on The Walking Dead since joining the popular horror series as Luke in 2018.

Burn Gorman (Charles Bluhdorn)

Burn Gorman shows up on The Offer as Charles Bluhdorn, the industrialist and founder of Gulf and Western Industries, Paramount Pictures’ parent company at the time The Godfather was in development and production.

Throughout his career, Gorman has popped up on a number of TV shows, including Torchwood, Game of Thrones, And Then There Were None, The Expanse, and most recently, Halo. In that same stretch of time, Gorman has landed roles in movies like The Dark Knight Rises, Pacific Rim, Crimson Peak, and Enola Holmes, to name only a few.

Colin Hanks (Barry Lapidus)

Colin Hanks shows up on The Offer as Barry Lapidus, an executive at Gulf and Western who plays a major role in the early stages of development of The Godfather.

Throughout his career, which goes back to starring his father’s 1996 comedy-drama That Thing You Do!, Hanks has appeared in movies like Orange County, King Kong, W., Vacation, Elvis & Nixon, and the two most recent additions to the Jumanji franchise. His TV work includes major roles on shows like Roswell, Fargo, Life in Pieces, and Impeachment: American Crime Story, as well as smaller appearances on shows like Band of Brothers, Mad Men, and Dexter. He’s next set to appear in the upcoming Peacock drama miniseries, A Friend of the Family.

Patrick Gallo (Mario Puzo)

And then there is Patrick Gallo, who shows up in The Offer cast as Mario Puzo, the author behind The Godfather novel and who co-wrote the Academy Award-winning screenplay alongside director Francis Ford Coppola.

Although not as recognizable as some of the other faces featured on The Offer, Gallo has built up quite a resumé for himself over the years with roles in movies like The Irishman and shows like Boardwalk Empire, The Deuce, and When They See Us.

But, this is just the main portion of The Offer cast as the new biographical drama streaming series also sees actors like Justin Chambers and Anthony Ippolito portraying Marlon Brando and Al Pacino, respectively, as well as Lou Ferrigno, who plays Lenny Montana, a.k.a. Luca Brasi. You can check out those actors and more by watching The Offer, but only if you have a Paramount+ subscription.

The Wizarding World — whether in the Harry Potter movies or the Fantastic Beasts franchise — has long been home to several of cinema’s most beloved heroes and detestable villains, with the likes of “The Boy Who Lived” and “He Who Shall Not Be Named” leading the pack. Over the years, the movies, which are based on books and other texts by J.K. Rowling, have given these characters room to shine despite each title featuring so many witches, wizards, muggles, and magical creatures.

And, that is again the case in the latest entry in the successful film franchise, as the enchanting Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore cast is loaded with unique characters. Let’s take a look at some of those familiar faces from one of the most anticipated new movie releases of 2022.

Eddie Redmayne (Newt Scamander)

Returning as the fearless magizoologist Newt Scamander in Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore is Eddie Redmayne, who has portrayed the beloved character since the series first got underway back in 2016.

Outside of the two previous entries in the Fantastic Beasts franchise, Redmayne is best remembered for his Academy Award-winning performance in the 2014 Stephen Hawking biographical drama The Theory of Everything. Redmayne has also had memorable roles in everything from The Danish Girl to the Netflix original movie The Trial of the Chicago 7, and Les Misérables to My Week with Marilyn.

Jude Law (Albus Dumbledore)

Jude Law is back once more to portray the incredibly powerful and conflicted Albus Dumbledore, the teacher of Defense Against the Dark Arts who would one day go on to become the headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

One of the most prolific and recognizable members of the Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore cast, Law has appeared in countless film, TV, and stage productions throughout his career, including The Talented Mr. Ripley, Cold Mountain, The Young Pope, The Third Day, Henry V, and Hamlet. Law has also had major roles in the Contagion cast and in movies like Captain Marvel and The Holiday.

Mads Mikkelsen (Gellert Grindelwald)

The third actor to take on the role, Mads Mikkelsen plays Gellert Grindelwald, the dark wizard who has been behind the various struggles and conflicts throughout the Fantastic Beasts franchise thus far.

A prolific actor in his own right, Mikkelsen’s talents and versatility have allowed him to play sadistic villains like Le Chiffre in Casino Royale, conflicted scientists like Death Star designer Galen Erso in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, and one of the best iterations of the Hannibal Lecter character on Hannibal. With that in mind, his mysterious role in the upcoming fifth Indiana Jones movie could go either way.

Dan Fogler (Jacob Kowalski)

Back again as Jacob Kowalski, the lovable No-Maj baker and trustworthy best friend of Newt Scamander, is Dan Fogler, who brings his charm, comedic timing, and earnestness to the Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore cast.

Known for his TV work on shows like The Walking Dead, The Goldbergs, and numerous others, Fogler also has had a great deal of film roles throughout his career. This includes the 2007 sports comedy Balls of Fury, Kung Fu Panda, Don Peyote, In Like Flynn, and The Argument. He is next to set to portray Francis Ford Coppola in the Paramount+ original series The Offer.

Alison Sudol (Queenie Goldstein)

Returning as Queenie Goldstein, the powerful legilimens who has long been a love interest of Jacob Kowalski, is Alison Sudol.

Outside of the Fantastic Beasts franchise, Sudol has appeared in movies like Between Us, and The Last Full Measure, and on a list of shows that includes CSI: NY, Transparent, and Dig. Sudol also has a music career, with several albums being released over the years. In April 2022, she debuted the video for her latest single, “Peaches,” on her official YouTube page.

Ezra Miller (Credence Barebones / Aurelius Dumbledore)

Ezra Miller is back in the Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore cast as Credence Barebones, a.k.a. Aurelius Dumbledore, the dark, tormented, and forgotten member of the Dumbledore family.

Miller, one of the most recognizable faces in today’s Hollywood, is no stranger when it comes to multi-part film franchises, as they have appeared in the DCEU with titles like Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Suicide Squad, and Zack Snyder’s Justice League under their belt. They will once again portray Barry Allen in the 2023 superhero film, The Flash. MIller’s other work includes The Perks of Being a Wallflower, The Stanford Prison Experiment, and Trainwreck.

Jessica Williams (Eulalie Hicks)

Jessica Williams reprises her role of Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry Professor Eulalie “Lally” Hicks, who helps Dumbledore’s team track down Grindelwald and his dark army.

Williams, who previously appeared in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, had also served as a long-time correspondent on The Daily Show and host of 2 Dope Queens, as well as appeared on shows like Love Life Season 2, The Twilight Zone, Girls, and Just For Kicks. Her film work includes Netflix's The Incredible Jessica James, Booksmart, Corporate Animals, and Hot Tub Time Machine 2.

Callum Turner (Theseus Scamander)

Callum Turner appears in the Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore cast Theseus Scamander, Newt’s older brother and British Ministry of Magic Auror, who’s also somewhat of a war hero.

Throughout his career, Turner has appeared in movies like Victor Frankenstein, Emma, The Only Living Boy in New York, and Green Room. His TV work includes shows like The Town, Ripper Street, Glue, War & Peace, and The Capture. Turner is next set to star alongside Joel Edgerton in George Clooney’s upcoming drama about the 1936 gold medal-winning men's Olympic rowing team, Boys in the Boat, according to Deadline.

William Nadylam (Yusuf Kama)

William Nadylam reprises his role of French-Senegalese wizard Yusuf Kama in Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, joining Newt Scamander’s team to prevent the destruction of the world.

Outside of his Wizarding World debut in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, in which he attempted to kill Credence Barebones, Nadylam has spent most of his career appearing in French films like L’Absence, L’affaire SK1, and White Material. He has also popped up on various TV shows over the years, including Murphy’s Law, Les Oubliées, and Parlement.

Richard Coyle (Aberforth Dumbledore)

Stepping in to take on the role of Albus Dumbledore’s younger brother, Aberforth, in Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore is veteran actor Richard Coyle, who brings with him decades of experience on the silver screen and small screen.

Fans of the Netflix original series The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina will recognize Coyle from his portrayal of the frequently menacing Father Blackwood, but that is just his latest contribution to TV. Other shows include Coupling, A.D. The Bible Continues, Strange, and The Fall. His list of film credits includes everything from Happy Now? to A Good Year, and Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time to Pusher, with several dozen other features in between.

Victoria Yeates (Bunty Broadacre)

Returning to Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore is Victoria Yeates, who once again portrays the character of Bunty Broadacre, Newt Scamander’s trusty assistant.

In addition to popping up as a magical character in the Wizarding World, Yeates has also appeared in another witchcraft-centric series, A Discovery of Witches, on which she portrayed Elizabeth Jackson. But Yeates is probably best remembered for her portrayal of Sister Winifred on the long-running historical drama, Call the Midwife, from 2014 to 2019. Her other TV work includes Holby City and Lip Service.

Fiona Glascott (Minerva McGonagall)

Minerva McGonagall has long been one of the most beloved characters in the Harry Potter movies franchise, with several iconic moments throughout the franchise. And while Maggie Smith isn’t playing  Albus Dumbledore’s close friend, the character is once again portrayed by Fiona Glascott, who first took on the role in 2018, in Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore.

Over the years, Glascott has popped up in movies like Resident Evil, Brooklyn, and The Duel, as well as shows like Casualty, The Musketeers, and Midsomer Murders, to name only a few.

Katherine Waterston (Porpentina Goldstein)

Although she doesn’t play as big of a role as she did in the previous two movies in the franchise, Katherine Waterston once again shows up as Porpentina “Tina” Goldstein, who has more than enough experience taking on the villainous Gellert Grindelwald.

In addition to being a big part of the first two Fantastic Beasts movies, Waterston has also appeared in a number of major films the past decade or so with titles like Alien: Covenant, Logan Lucky, Mid90s, Steve Jobs, and The World to Come all coming to mind. She also had a brief role on the HBO crime drama series, Boardwalk Empire. Waterston is next set to appear in the second season of Perry Mason, also on HBO.

This are just some of the major players who appear in the Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore cast, as including every witch, wizard, and muggle would make this list as long (if not longer) as the full collection of all Harry Potter books and subsequent texts combined. 

It feels like it’s been forever, but Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, aka the third movie in the new franchise (and also referred to as Fantastic Beasts 3), is finally pushing out trailers and gearing up for its big, splashy release. While we’ve already seen (and heard) a little bit about what to expect thanks to the The Secrets of Dumbledore trailer, we’ve also learned a bit more from Jacob actor Dan Fogler about the new movie. He’s not releasing major information – no one is accusing him of being Tom Holland with spoilers here – but he did share details that have me pumped for the upcoming movie release, particularly given how the second film went. 

To me, one of the most compelling arcs in the Fantastic Beasts movies is the story of Jacob and Queenie, who have struggled with forbidden love given he is a muggle and she is a pureblood wizard. This is a theme in the Harry Potter era, too, but we see it play out with adults to disastrous consequences in these movies. Another thing that’s great but much more so in the first Fantastic Beasts film is simply Jacob playing around in the Wizarding World. From what he told That Hashtag Show in an interview, this time around Jacob is going to get back into some of the stuff that made the first movie so fun. 

This is good news, because the type of storytelling we got with Jacob and Queenie and Newt in the first movie worked a whole lot better than what came next. Just look at the trajectory of the two movies: The first flick in the franchise Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them was quite popular. It made over $814 million worldwide and is running at 74% from the critics on Rotten Tomatoes. Subsequently, The Crimes of Grindelwald – which got a whole lot heavier and more convoluted with its plot and introduced more Harry Potter lore – only made $654 million at the box office and is running at a paltry 36% on Rotten Tomatoes (even its audience score is a splat). 

To be clear, that’s the lowest score of any movie in the franchise, including Harry Potter and Fantastic Beast films. So I think hearing the third movie is kind of looking to get back to its roots and focus more on Jacob and co. can only mean positive things.

Also speaking to That Hashtag Show, Dan Fogler spoke fondly of making the third movie. Again, he can’t get into details but he does says it’s “some people’s favorite” among the three Fantastic Beast movies made so far. 

To me, even if some people disagree, if it’s true that a certain faction of people love this movie, there’s every reason to hope The Secrets of Dumbledore will be good and tick the franchise back into huge box office numbers and more positive reviews again. We’ll have to wait and see. A couple of trailers is a far cry from a full, multi-hour movie, but there’s not so much longer to wait for everything at this point. The flick is set to release on April 15, so have your wands at ready.

To see more of what’s coming, take a look at our full list of new movie releases.

After several years and multiple delays, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore is finally coming to theaters in the spring of 2022, and will offer fans of J.K. Rowling’s sprawling Harry Potter franchise a glimpse at one of the darkest periods in the history of the Wizarding World. The third installment in the Fantastic Beasts series (though certainly not the last) will surely answer some of those burning questions we have all been asking since we last saw Newt Scamander and Albus Dumbledore in the extremely busy The Crimes of Grindelwald back in 2018.

But as we anxiously await the next chapter in the saga, now seems like a perfect time to take a look at what we know about Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore so far, including its release date, cast, and other vital information that everyone should know going in…

Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets Of Dumbledore Release Date Is Set For April 15, 2022

Fans of the franchise have been waiting with bated breath for information on the theatrical release of Fantastic Beasts 3, but we’re happy to say there isn’t much time before the next chapter arrives. In September 2021 Warner Bros. finally revealed the title as Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore along with a release date of April 15, 2022. However, this wasn’t the first time a date had been thrown around over the years.

In April 2019, Warner Bros. issued an official release date of November 12, 2021. Fantastic Beasts 3 was initially expected to release on November 20, 2020, then the studio gave Dune that release date (which was also delayed several times). Production on Fantastic Beasts 3 was initially delayed from starting to film July 2019, to starting instead in late fall 2019. Filming was delayed yet again to start in the spring of 2020 to match the new November 2021 release date. Then the COVID-19 pandemic happened and you pretty much know the story from there.

The Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets Of Dumbledore Cast Is Led By Eddie Redmayne, Jude Law And Mads Mikkelsen

When Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore is released upon the world, it will see most of the cast members from the first two movies in the series return to play their iconic characters with some new faces as well. Taking on the role of self-proclaimed magizoologist Newt Scamander is Eddie Redmayne. Also returning are Jude Law as Albus Dumbledore, Ezra Miller as Credence Barbone/Aurelius Dumbledore, Dan Fogler as Jacob Kowalski, Katherine Waterston as Tin Goldstein, Alison Sudol as Queenie Goldstein, and Callum Turner as Theseus Scamander.

One of the biggest stories surrounding the Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore has been the hiring of Mads Mikkelsen to portray Gellert Grindelwald from Johnny Depp, who stepped away from the franchise shortly after production began.

Other members of the cast include Richard Coyle, Maria Fernanda Cândido, Oliver Masucci, William Nadylam, Jessica Williams, Poppy Corby-Tuech and several others.

Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets Of Dumbledore Follows Albus Dumbledore As He Attempts To Stop Gellert Grindelwald’s Plan To Take Control Of The Wizarding World

Following the shocking events of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, the Wizarding World was left in a precarious situation, and by the way Warner Bros.’ official synopsis of the third movie sounds, it doesn’t look like things are going to get better before they get worse. In fact, it looks like things are going to get much worse for everyone involved.

Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore is set to follow Professor Albus Dumbledore as he attempts to stop Gellert Grindelwald from taking control of the Wizarding World and shaping it to meet his desires. And since it was revealed in the final moments of The Crimes of Grindelwald that the two have a blood-pact that prevents them from dueling, Dumbledore enlists Newt Scamander and a small yet fearless team to stop the dark wizard’s plan before it comes to fruition.

Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets Of Dumbledore Is Directed By David Yates

David Yates will be continuing with the franchise, potentially to the end. He started in J.K. Rowling's magical world by directing  Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and continued with Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, and both Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows movies. He returned to direct the first two Potter prequel movies in the Fantastic Beasts series, and he has officially signed on to helm the third installment. In 2018, longtime producer David Heyman told CinemaBlend he'd like to see David Yates continue to direct all five films. But it sounded like it was partly up to Yates himself, and also dependent on how things played out. 

The Secrets Of Dumbledore Is Not The Final Movie Of The Fantastic Beasts Saga

J.K. Rowling surprised fans when she revealed that she was actually planning to write five movies for the Fantastic Beasts series. Producer David Heyman later explained that she began by expecting three films but then, as she dug deeper and started writing the first script, she realized there was a lot more story to tell and didn't think she could fit it all into three movies.

The five-film Fantastic Beasts series is expected to span from 1926 to 1945, with the final movie including the big duel between Grindelwald and Dumbledore. The second movie was set in 1927 but, as shown above, Rowling hinted at the third movie being set at least in part in the 1930s. There has been no confirmation about the third movie's timeline. Will it lead up to the start of World War II, or would that real-world war be left to play out opposite the magical one in the fourth and fifth movies? Time will tell. (Get it? Time? #classic)

But even though there are two more movies on the way, very little is known about them at this time besides the fact that it looks like the fourth installment won’t be coming for quite some time.

The Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets Of Dumbledore Trailer Shows The Wizarding World On The Brink Of War

In December 2021, Warner Bros. finally released the long-awaited trailer for Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore and it did not disappoint. In addition to featuring some amazing references to the Harry Potter movies, the exciting display of wizarding wonder shows off what’s to be a deadly march to all-out war between the two factions led by Albus Dumbledore and Gellert Grindelwald. But even though Grindelwald’s forces of evil look as deadly as ever before, Newt Scamander and his team (consisting of a magizoologist, a wizard from an old family, a schoolteacher, and a Muggle) look up to the task. 

What Will Fantastic Beasts 3 Be Rated?

The MPAA won't reveal Fantastic Beasts 3's official rating until closer to the release date. But it's almost certainly going to be PG-13. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them was rated PG-13 for "some fantasy action violence." Crimes of Grindelwald was rated PG-13 for "some sequences of fantasy action." Expect something similar for Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore.

Expect to hear more about Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore as we get closer to the film’s April 15, 2022 release. But while you wait, check out our ranking of the Harry Potter movies and don’t forget to take a glance at our 2022 movie release schedule.

Currently in the midst of its eighth season, The Goldbergs has been a regular favorite on ABC since its 2013 premiere, earning critical praise and a loyal fanbase, along with a short-lived spin-off, Schooled, in 2019. Starring Jeff Garlin, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Sean Giambrone, the late George Segal, and the voice of Patton Oswalt as our narrator, i.e. an adult version of our main character, The Goldbergs cast is filled with many familiar faces (and voices), though if you're wondering where you've seen/heard the ensemble, we're here to help. Here's where you recognize the cast of The Goldbergs.

Jeff Garlin (Murray Goldberg)

As Murray Goldberg, our gruff, tough-loving patriarch, Jeff Garlin plays a lead role in ABC's long-running sitcom, The Goldbergs. Outside of this series, Garlin is known for starring in HBO's acclaimed Curb Your Enthusiasm. He also played recurring characters in Arrested Development and Mad About You. In film, additionally, Garlin can be seen in Daddy Day Care, Sleepover, Safety Not Guaranteed, The Rocker, Full Frontal, Senseless, Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, RoboCop 3, Fat Albert, Bounce, The Bounty Hunter, and After the Sunset.

Additionally, as a voice actor, Jeff Garlin can be heard in WALL-E, Toy Story 3, Toy Story 4, Cars 2, ParaNorman, and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Additionally, Garlin wrote, directed, and starred in I Want Someone To Eat Cheese With, Dealin' With Idiots, and Handsome: A Netflix Mystery Movie. Outside of acting, Garlin is the author of My Footprint: Carrying the Weight of the World, which is also known as Curbing It, and he hosted the podcast, By The Way, In Conversation with Jeff Garlin.

Wendi McLendon-Covey (Beverly Goldberg)

In the role of Beverly Goldberg, the family's overprotective matriarch, Wendi McLendon-Covey gives an award-nominated performance in ABC's The Goldbergs. Outside of this network series, McLendon-Covey is known for her role as Deputy Clementine Johnson in Comedy Central's Reno 911!, which was briefly revived by Quibi last year. She also played this character in the film continuation, Reno 911!: Miami. Some of her other notable credits include Bridesmaids, Rules of Engagement, What to Expect When You're Expecting, Bewitched, Think Like a Man Too, Hello My Name Is Doris, What Men Want, Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween, The Single Moms Club, and Blended. McLendon-Covey also starred in Cook Off!, which she co-wrote. Additionally, the actress led 2019's indie drama, Blush.

Recently, Wendi McLendon-Covey was seen in Sylvie's Love, Breaking for Whales, Long Weekend, and Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar. Furthermore, as a voice actress, McLendon-Covey can be heard in Big City Greens, Puppy Dog Pals, Crossing Swords, Bob's Burgers, and Solar Opposites. Next, the actress will be seen in Sick Girl and heard in M.O.D.O.K.

Sean Giambrone (Adam Goldberg)

Playing the part of Adam Goldberg, the pop culture-obsessed youngest child, Sean Giambrone has an autobiographical character — or, at least, semi-autobiographical — in Adam Goldberg's ABC sitcom, The Goldbergs. Away from this series, Giambrone starred in Disney Channel's live-action Kim Possible. He also lent his voice to The Emoji Movie, The Secret Life of Pets 2, Ralph Breaks the Internet, Clarence, Harley Quinn, Big Hero 6: The Series, and Adventure Time. Currently, Giambrone can also be heard in main roles in Hulu's Solar Opposites and Netflix's Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous.

Troy Gentile (Barry Goldberg)

As Barry Goldberg, the overconfident (and not always bright) middle child, Troy Gentile plays a goofy character in The Goldbergs. Outside of this series, Gentile's other notable TV credits include Entourage, Hawthrone, The Middle, Schooled, and The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. Additionally, he can also be seen in films like Hotel for Dogs, Nacho Libre, Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny, Bad News Bears (2005), Good Luck Chuck, Pineapple Express, Drillbit Taylor, and I Could Never Be Your Woman.

Hayley Orrantia (Erica Goldberg)

In the role of Erica Goldberg, the sarcastic eldest child, Hayley Orrantia plays a rebellious personality in ABC's The Goldbergs. Outside of acting, Orrantia is a member of the country-pop girl group, Lakoda Rayne, which was assembled by Paula Abdul during The X Factor's first season. She also released her first EP, The Way Out, in 2019. Away from music, Orrantia is the star of God's Not Dead 2. Her other acting credits include Schooled, Roommates, and Cooper and the Castle Hills Gang.

George Segal (Albert “Pops” Solomon)

Playing the part of Albert "Pops" Solomon, Beverly's laid-back, widowed father, George Segal provided a fun-loving, adventure-seeking paternal figure in ABC's The Goldbergs. Unfortunately, in March 2021, the actor passed away at 87. Outside of this series, Segal was an Oscar-nominated actor for his acclaimed performance in Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf? He also starred in NBC's Just Shoot Me!

George Segal's other notable film credits include Ship of Fools, King Rat, The St. Valentine's Day Massacre, Where's Poppa?, The Hot Rock, Blume in Love, A Touch of Class, California Split, For the Boys, Flirting with Disaster, Fun with Dick and Jane (1977), Look Who's Talking, The Cable Guy, The Mirror Has Two Faces, 2012, and Love & Other Drugs. Additionally, as a voice actor, Segal can be heard in The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest. He was also a series regular on Retired at 35. Furthermore, outside of acting, Segal was an accomplished banjo player, having released three albums.

AJ Michalka (Lainey Lewis)

As Lainey Lewis, one of the most popular girls at school and Erica's best friend, AJ Michalka is a prominent supporting character in The Goldbergs. Away from this series, Michalka is best known for being one half of the musical duo, Aly & AJ, alongside her sister, Aly Michalka. She also starred in ABC's spin-off series, Schooled, where she reprised her role as Lainey. She also voices a lead character in Netflix's She-Ra and the Princesses of Power.

AJ Michalka's other notable television credits include Oliver Beene, The Guardian, Six Feet Under, General Hospital, Hellcats, and Silicon Valley. As a voice artist, Michalka can also be heard in Steven Universe. In film, additionally, the actress appears in Super 8, Secretariat, Grace Unplugged, Angels in Stardust, The Lovely Bones, Weepah Way for Now (which she also produced), and Support the Girls.

Sam Lerner (Geoff “Madman” Schwartz)

In the role of Geoff Schwartz, i.e. "Madman," one of Barry's best friends, Sam Lerner was a recurring character on ABC's The Goldbergs, starting in Season 2, before he became part of the main cast in Season 5. Outside of this series, Lerner is known for his work in Monster House, Project Almanac, and Envy. He was also seen in Truth or Dare, Nobody Walks, and Fun Mom Dinner. On television, meanwhile, the actor played a recurring role in Suburgatory. Also, Lerner can be seen in the fifth season of Ballers. Next, he'll appear in F9. Also, Lerner will star in Liked, and the short film, Purity.

Patton Oswalt (Adult Adam Goldberg)

Providing the voice of an adult version of Adam Goldberg, who narrates this nostalgic show, Patton Oswalt can often be heard in The Goldbergs. An Emmy-winning stand-up comedian, Oswalt has continued to branch out as an actor — particularly as a voice actor — over the past two decades, notably with his starring role in Ratatouille. The comic can also be heard in Kim Possible, BoJack Horseman, We Bare Bears, Archer, Justice League Action, Mickey and the Roadster Racers, Big Hero 6: The Series, Spider-Man, The Secret Life of Pets 2, and Happy! Additionally, he'll voice the main character in the upcoming M.O.D.O.K., where he will also contribute as a writer.

Additionally, Patton Oswalt plays a lead role in NBC/Peacock's A.P. Bio. He also had prominent roles in The King of Queens, Justified, and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Oswalt's other notable television credits include Community, Parks and Recreation, Reno 911!, Drunk History, Two and a Half Men, Veep, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and Netflix's Mystery Science Theater 3000. Additionally, in film, Oswalt starred in Big Fan and Young Adult.

Judd Hirsch (Ben “Pop Pop” Goldberg)

Playing the part of Ben "Pop Pop" Goldberg, Murray's cranky and opinionated father, Judd Hirsch has a spirited supporting character in ABC's The Goldbergs. Away from this series, Hirsch is a two-time Emmy-winning actor, as well as a two-time Tony-winning actor, who's best known for his work in NBC's Taxi. He also starred in NBC's Dear John and CBS's Numb3rs. His other notable film and television credits include Ordinary People, Running on Empty, Independence Day, Independence Day: Resurgence, A Beautiful Mind, This Must Be The Place, Tower Heist, Teachers, Without a Trace, The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Collected), Delvecchio, George and Leo, Damages, Forever, Maron, Uncut Gems, and Superior Donuts.

Dan Fogler (Marvin Goldberg)

As Marvin Goldberg, Murray's carefree and often unreliable younger brother, Dan Fogler plays a fun-loving supporting character in ABC's The Goldbergs. Making his Broadway debut in 2005's The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, for which he won a Tony Award, Fogler starred in Balls of Fury. He also appears in Good Luck Chuck, Fanboys, School for Scoundrels, Take Me Home Tonight, Jay and Silent Bob Reboot, Sharknado 5: Global Swarming, and Taking Woodstock. Additionally, Fogler lent his voice to Mars Needs Moms, Kung Fu Panda, Horton Hears a Who!, and Free Birds.

Furthermore, Dan Fogler headlined Don Peyote, which he co-wrote and co-directed, and he played prominent roles in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and its sequel, Fantastic Beasts: The Crime of Grindelwald. On television, additionally, Fogler stars in AMC's The Walking Dead. He also appears in Hannibal, Man Up!, The Good Wife, and Secrets and Lies. Most recently, the actor starred in The Argument. Next, Fogler will be seen in Making the Day, Spinning Gold, and the third Fantastic Beasts movie.

The Goldbergs is airing its eighth season on ABC. Find out what else the small screen has to offer with our 2021 TV schedule.

The Wizarding World franchise encompasses more than just the Harry Potter series. Starting with 2016’s Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and continuing with 2018’s Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, moviegoers have watched Newt Scamander’s magical adventures unfold decades before the Boy Who lived was born. We’re now approaching the midpoint of this particular journey, with Fantastic Beasts 3 in the midst of production and on track to premiere in 2022.

Warner Bros is keeping plot details for the threequel close to the proverbial chest for now, but fortunately, we at least know who’s comprising the lineup in this next sorcerous outing. Below are all the actors who have been announced or reported to appear in Fantastic Beasts 3 so far, many of whom you’ve already acquainted with in this franchise.

Eddie Redmayne

It wouldn’t be a Fantastic Beasts movie without Newt Scamander involved, so of course Eddie Redmayne would be back. To no one’s surprise, he sided against Gellert Grindelwald (more on him later) in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, so needless to say Fantastic Beasts 3 will involve him embarking on some kind of journey involved with defeating the dark wizard. With Newt around, you can also count on more of his amazing creatures being featured (it’d be pretty weird for those to be completely dropped given this spinoff series’ title), although it remains to be seen how many of them will be new.

Katherine Waterston?

Katherine Waterston plays Tina Goldstein in the Fantastic Beasts series, who was in a demoted position when we met her in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Luckily, her reputation improved following that movie, and she was carrying out work as an Auror for the MACUSA (Magical Congress of the United States of America) when The Crimes of Grindelwald rolled around. Like Newt, Tina decided to fight against Grindelwald, though she now finds herself subsequently embroiled in some family drama, which we’ll discuss soon. While it initially seemed like a foregone conclusion that Tina would be back, Waterston wasn't in the first Fantastic Beasts 3 trailer or any of the following previews. Is it possible that the character is sitting out this round of magical action?

Alison Sudol

While it looked like Alison Sudol’s Queenie Goldstein (Tina's sister) and Dan Fogler’s Jacob Kowalski had happy times ahead of them at the end of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, it turns out that the MACUSA banned wizards and non-magical people from marrying. So Queenie cast a love charm on Jacob to convince him to elope in Great Britain, which left him in a dazed state. Eventually Newt Scamander broke the enchantment, and being angered upon learning what happened to him, Jacob left Queenie. Later in the movie, Queenie decided to side with Gellert Grindelwald, as she believed that under his rule, she and Jacob could live their lives together free from oppression. So in Fantastic Beasts 3, she’ll be by Grindelwald’s side as he carries out the next phases of his grand plan.

Dan Fogler

After being freed from the love charm, Dan Fogler’s Jacob Kowalski accompanied Newt Scamander on his next journey, exposing him to even more wonders from the magical world. Despite his anger towards Queenie about what she’d done with him, Jacob was still interested in living a life with her. Unfortunately, by the time they reunited, Queenie had already been taken in by Gellert Grindelwald’s ideology, whereas Jacob found it repulsing. The two still love each other, but they’re now on opposite ideological sides. So while he’s not capable of casting spells, Jacob continues to be an important player in this saga.

Mads Mikkelsen

Much like Voldemort in the original Harry Potter series, Gellert Grindelwald has cemented himself as the main antagonist in the Fantastic Beasts film series. We know he’ll ultimately be defeated, but as of The Crimes of Grindelwald, he’s amassed a sizable following and is more determined than ever for impose a new world order where pureblooded wizards rule the land. However, Grindelwald won’t look quite the same when he returns in Fantastic Beasts 3. After Johnny Depp lost his libel case in the U.K., Warner Bros requested that he step down from the role, and he obliged. Several weeks later, Doctor Strange and Rogue One star Mads Mikkelsen was cast as his replacement, and unless Mikkelsen gets caught in his own controversy, it stands to reason he’ll be playing the character for the rest of the Fantastic Beasts series.

Jude Law

Albus Dumbledore was a key character in the Harry Potter series, and now he holds a similar position in the Fantastic Beasts series since Jude Law debuted as the younger version of the character in The Crimes of Grindelwald. Dumbledore and Gellert Grindelwald go way back, having once been allies and more, but now they’re enemies, with Dumbledore doing his best to thwart Grindewald’s reign of terror. At the end of The Crimes of Grindelwald, Newt Scamander delivered to Dumbledore a vial he had his Niffler steal from Grindelwald containing a blood pact that prevents Dumbledore and Grindelwald from dueling each other, although Dumbledore believes it can be destroyed. Since we know these two will eventually battle one another in a showdown for the ages, perhaps Fantastic Beasts 3 will show how the vial is destroyed. It’s also worth mentioning that Albus isn’t the only member of the Dumbledore family who involved in the Fantastic Beasts story…

Ezra Miller

Ezra Miller’s Credence Barebone was introduced in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them as a young man who hosted an Obscurus, but The Crimes of Grindelwald revealed that there’s much more to him. After surviving the events of the first Fantastic Beasts movie, the sequel saw Credence meeting Nagini and searching for clues about his heritage. It was initially believed that Credence was Corvus Lestrange V, the long-lost half brother of Leta, but that proved not to be the case. Instead, after siding with Gellert Grindelwald, Credence learned that his real name is Aurelius Dumbledore, making him Albus and Aberforth's long-lost brother. Grindelwald plans to manipulate Credence’s power to kill Albus, and has convinced Credence that Albus wants to kill him. We’ll have to wait and see if Credence stays by Grindelwald’s side for the entirety of Fantastic Beasts 3 or if he’s convinced to switch allegiances.

Callum Turner

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald opened up the Scamander family by introducing Theseus, Newt’s older brother who works as an Auror for the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and is described as a “war hero.” Although the brothers have contrasting personalities and had a bit of an awkward dynamic in The Crimes of Grindelwald because Theseus was now engaged to Newt’s former flame Leta Lestrange, they get along reasonably well. Sadly, Leta sacrificed her life during the sequel to save the Scamander brothers, leaving Theseus devastated. No doubt Callum Turner’s character will still be working to apprehend Grindelwald during Fantastic Beasts 3, although it’s worth considering whether he’s acting strictly by the book or is willing to break the rules to seek vengeance.

Jessica Williams

Much like the blink-and-you-miss-it cameo of Zoe Kravitz’s Leta Lestrange in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Jessica Williams only briefly appeared in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald as Eulalie Hicks, a professor at the Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Nicholas Flamel communicated with Eulalie through his magical book, and she urged him to help Newt Scamander. While it hasn’t been revealed yet how Eulalie fits into the Fantastic Beasts 3 picture, rest assured, she’ll have a larger role rather than just cameo again.

William Nadylam

William Nadylam’s Yusuf Kama was hunting Credence Barebone during Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. When Yusuf was a child, his mother, Laurena, was kidnapped by Corvus Lestrange IV and later died giving birth to his daughter, Leta Lestrange. Yusuf’s father made Yusuf swear an Unbreakable Vow to kill the person Corvus loved most, which turned out to be his son Corvus V, who was born from a different woman. However, as mentioned earlier, Credence was not Corvus V, who had actually died as a child. So Yusuf wasn’t able to avenge his mother’s death as planned, but he’ll reportedly be around for Fantastic Beasts 3, and since he didn’t cross the flames to join Grindelwald’s groups, we presumably count on him either being one of Newt’s allies or at least not cause trouble for him.

Poppy Corby-Tuech

Oftentimes an evildoer is accompanied by a right-hand person, and for Gellert Grindelwald, that’s Vinda Rosier, played by Poppy Corby-Tuech. Vinda is committed to bringing forth Grindelwald’s vision for a society where pureblooded wizards rule over everyone else, and she was the one who found the distraught Queenie and brought her before her master. While there’s still three movies left to go in the Fantastic Beasts series, it’s probably a safe bet that Vinda will remain by Grindelwald’s side rather than have a change of heart.

Victoria Yeates

When he’s not trying to stop dark wizards from taking over the world, Newt Scamander works in the Beasts Division of the British Ministry of Magic’s Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. Helping him with his work following the publication of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is his assistant Bunty, played by Victoria Yeates. Newt tasked Bunty with looking after his creatures when he went to Paris in The Crimes of Grindelwald, so we’ll have to wait and see if she’s on beast-sitting duty again for Fantastic Beasts 3 or if she’ll be able to participate in the action this time around.

Richard Coyle

Finally, we come to Richard Coyle, who is so far the only new actor who’s slated to appear in Fantastic Beasts 3. Coyle confirmed his involvement on social media, but didn’t reveal any details about the character he’s playing. So whether he’s a wizard or non-magical person, Grindelwald supporter or member of Dumbledore camp, or somewhere in between, all that’s being kept under wraps. Coyle is arguably best known for playing Father Blackwood in the Netflix series The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, so he has some experience playing around in a magical world.

As things stand now, Fantastic Beasts 3 is primed to work its magic in theaters on July 15, 2022. Keep visiting CinemaBlend for more updates on how the threequel is coming along, and if you’re curious about movies arriving in theaters sooner, be sure to look through our 2021 release schedule.

Harry Potter and the larger Wizarding World have been a worldwide sensation for decades, with no signs of slowing. This is largely because J.K. Rowling and company have kept the property going through projects like the Fantastic Beasts movies. But that property hasn't been without drama, most notably over the departure of Grindelwald actor Johnny Depp. And now his co-star Dan Fogler has responded to the studio's difficult decision to part ways with Depp.

Johnny Depp was revealed to be playing Grindelwald during the final moments of the first Fantastic Beasts movie, before getting a meaty role in the first sequel The Crimes of Grindelwald. But Warner Bros. recently decided to recast the role, following Depp's loss at court over his libel case against The Sun. Dan Fogler stars as Jacob Kowalski in the spinoff property, and recently broke his silence on the firing of Johnny Depp, saying:

Well, there you have it. It looks like the decision for Johnny Depp to leave the Fantastic Beasts franchise altogether was complicated, one that was no doubt affected by the pandemic and the threequel's delay in filming. Warner Bros. is gearing up to resume filming for Fantastic Beasts 3, while also making the bold choice to recast Grindelwald for future appearances... while also paying Johnny Depp in full.

Dan Fogler's statement about Johnny Depp leaving Fantastic Beasts 3 come from the comments section of a fan page for the actor. The 44 year-old actor sometimes uses social media to directly communicate with the fans about his work on projects like the Wizarding World and The Walking Dead. And with Warner Bros. cutting ties with Depp for the time being, the public has looked to the cast/crew for any sort of comments about the subject.

Later in the same comments section, Dan Fogler further explained his thoughts on Johnny Depp being asked to leave the Fantastic Beasts franchise. Depp has been making headlines for months over the wild legal battle he's currently having with ex-wife Amber Heard. Both actors have hurled accusations of abuse against each other, which obviously makes the controversy all the more sensitive. Fogler went on to speak of the situation, saying:

While not touching on the specifics of the abuse allegations made against both Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, Dan Fogler simply spoke to how he sees the unprecedented Fantastic Beasts situation from within the Wizarding World. And with plenty more litigation to go for the former couple, Fogler seems to believe the studio cut ties in order to separate the franchise from the actor's interpersonal issues.

These comments by Dan Fogler are particularly notable as there hasn't been many comments from the Fantastic Beasts cast/crew about the shakeup regarding Johnny Depp's role as Grindelwald. And with work continuing on the upcoming third installment in the franchise, it's no doubt a cloud looming above the set. We'll just have to see how production continues.

As for Grindelwald, the role will still have a major presence in Fantastic Beasts 3 despite Johnny Depp's removal from the role. Actor Mads Mikkelsen is expected to take on the role of the magical villain, seeing the world through Grindelwald's mutli-colored eyes. It's a solid choice, but the change of actors is sure to be noticeable when the movie finally hits theaters.

Fantastic Beasts 3 is currently expected to hit theaters on July 15th, 2022. In the meantime, check out our 2021 release list to plan your trips to the movies next year.

The filmmakers behind the Fantastic Beasts franchise have worked to make it clear that the stories can stand on their own, though they have incorporated many elements that are familiar to fans of J.K. Rowling’s legendary book series, including some of her most iconic characters. Now, Dan Fogler has an answer for fans who are wondering if another key Harry Potter character could show up in Fantastic Beasts.

Thus far in the Fantastic Beasts series, we’ve seen a few key Harry Potter players show up. While the spin-off series has helped flesh out the backstories behind villains like Grindelwald and Nagini, the most direct connection between the two franchises has been Albus Dumbledore -- Hogwarts’ beloved headmaster and one of Harry Potter’s magical mentors.

Fans have speculated that we could see even more Harry Potter characters in Fantastic Beasts 3, which will find the core characters back at the famous wizarding school -- and that’s not something Dan Fogler, who starred as Jacob Kowalski in the first two Fantastic Beasts and will be returning for the third, will rule out.

During a conversation with Movie Dweeb, he was asked whether we can expect to see fan favorite characters like Hagrid showing up in Fantastic Beasts, and he added some fuel to the fire with his answer:

Dan Fogler went on to riff a bit on how they might incorporate Hagrid into the Fantastic Beasts world, noting that the timeline for the films might make it possible:

He isn’t the only Fantastic Beasts cast member that’s indicated they’d be happy to hang out with Hogwarts’ gamekeeper -- Eddie Redmayne also called out Hagrid as a character he’d like to bring into the fold. The actor didn’t rule out other Harry Potter characters coming into the fold, either:

Just so we’re clear, we’re pretty sure he’s not saying Hermione Granger is going to show up in any future Fantastic Beasts movies. He does have a point, though -- that the magical elements of the Harry Potter world make it relatively easy for the Fantastic Beasts filmmakers to introduce any character they want, any time they want.

Whether they should add in Harry Potter characters is another question altogether. The Fantastic Beasts series seems to have plenty of stories of its own to tell without leaning too heavily on the original HP crew.

But would you like to see more Harry Potter characters show up in Fantastic Beasts? And if so, which ones? Let us know in the comments!

Fantastic Beasts’ Jacob Kowalski's status as a no-Mag makes him one of the more distinctive characters in the franchise. However, he may catch fans of the Harry Potter spinoff's eyes in a whole new way when the third film hits theaters, because Dan Fogler, the actor who plays him, has seriously slimmed down over the past few years. In fact, between the first movie and Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald, he started dropping what would ultimately be 100 pounds.

It will still be a little while before we can see the Fantastic Beasts gang back in action again. But Dan Fogler has stayed busy in a few ways, such as making an appearance in The Walking Dead, and fans have noticed the change in his appearance on both the big and small screen. Dan Fogler recently revealed the steps he initially took to lose weight -- and they included giving up some of his go-to comfort foods:

Dan Fogler admitted to Lauren Francesca that he’s like a lot of us, and the COVID-19 pandemic has meant that he’s gained back a bit of what he initially lost, but in general he's figured out ways to be happier and healthier with his diet.

However, his ultimate weight loss results are pretty incredible -- and that they were so drastic he actually ended up getting some unexpected reactions:

So it’s safe to say that when we see Jacob Kowalsi in Fantastic Beasts 3, he'll still be looking pretty good, though perhaps not where he was at at peak weightloss. How, or if, that will play into his storyline remains to be seen, but we’ll find out when the movie hits theaters. It’s currently scheduled to do that in February 2021.

One of the productions that’s really felt the sting of the COVID-19 pandemic is Warner Bros.' follow-up to Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, which was set to start filming as recently as last week. While the brakes are firmly applied to Fantastic Beasts 3 for now, that hasn't stopped the cast from talking about the events that are coming, and actor Dan Fogler recently teased a “massive war” ready to break out in J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World.

Dan Fogler was recently questioned about the status of Fantastic Beasts 3 during an interview and his specific tease about the future indicated World War II would be a key component. He said:

Ever the informative cast member, it should also be noted that the previous information about where and when Fantastic Beasts 3 would be shooting also came from Dan Fogler’s ever dependable, but still fairly spoiler-free, lips. So his remarks to SyFy Wire are not only legitimate, but a welcome update on what he knows about the upcoming sequel from having seen the script.

As the third film in a planned five installments for the Fantastic Beasts series, Dan Fogler’s comments about World War II and “epic battle scenes” should have Harry Potter loyalists salivating. These details tease some very familiar history that was initially hinted at in J.K. Rowling’s iconic book and film franchise, as Johnny Depp’s Gellert Grindelwald stepped up his campaign of magical terror in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.

It all tracks with the path of historical events that should eventually see him defeated by Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) in 1945, the very year that World War II ended. Considering Fantastic Beasts 3 has been tipped to deal more with Dumbledore, both as a Hogwarts professor and a magical warrior, the somewhat shaky Fantastic Beasts franchise looks to be attempting to venture back to fan friendly plains according to Dan Fogler's script notes. That much could be seen in the fact Fantastic Beasts 3 is also the return of Harry Potter screenwriter Steve Kloves, the man who worked on all but one of scripts for Warner Bros.’ massive cultural touchstone.

With Kloves’ knowledge of the cinematic world that made Harry Potter a household name, Dan Fogler’s mention of that massive wizarding war that saw Dumbledore and Grindelwald going toe to toe sounds like the Fantastic Beasts plan might be shaping up to play more like a promising extension of this prequel franchise, rather than a continuation of The Crimes of Grindelwald, which didn't resonate with all viewers.

Though, if I'm being truthful, I would always be happy to watch an entire Fantastic Beasts film set in the life of Dan Fogler’s Jacob Kowalski. Baking his own fanciful creations, Jacob could woo his beloved Queenie Goldstein back from the evils of Grindelwald’s fanaticism, and takes care of his own pet Niffler on the side. All while sporting his trademark short hair, and hopefully that fantastic beard the actor also recently teased as a potential new look for the movie. Alas, World War II is calling, and history cannot be altered; so we'll have to endure some war before the possibility of any peaceful ending in the Fantastic Beasts world.

Fantastic Beasts 3 is slated for a November 12, 2021 release date at this moment; but there’s still a chance that the delays in production may bump that debut into another window entirely. So, stay tuned to CinemaBlend for updates on the production as they break.

Filming is finally getting ready to start for Fantastic Beasts 3 and "No-Maj" muggle Jacob Kowalski will be a changed man. Actor Dan Fogler plays Jacob, and he has been through quite a journey from Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them to Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.

In fall 2019, Dan Fogler already previewed one change in his own significant weight loss. He hadn't read a script for Fantastic Beasts 3 at that point, but knew the movie could explain Jacob losing a lot of weight through depression at his heartbreak over losing Queenie (Alison Sudol).

Fantastic Beasts 3 was originally going to film last summer, and that was pushed to late fall and then late winter/early spring 2020. Last we heard, cast members were planning to start production in late February. So here we are.

In between Fantastic Beasts movies, Dan Fogler has been playing Luke on The Walking Dead. Luke has longer shaggier hair than Jacob, plus a beard:

So when Dan Fogler showed off his new haircut on February 25, 2020, it looked like he was ready to bring Jacob back to the big screen:

The Walking Dead doesn't traditionally start filming for new seasons until May, so this haircut may not mean anything for Luke. For Jacob, though, do you think he's going to keep the beard, or is part of "what comes next" for Dan Fogler shaving off that facial hair?

You can see Dan Fogler's weight loss by comparing the top Jacob photo from The Crimes of Grindelwald to the new Instagram post. There are any number of ways for Fantastic Beasts 3 to explain the change -- as well as any other new looks from different characters.

It sounds like Fantastic Beasts 3 will set in the 1930s, which means there should be a slight time jump from the 1926/New York setting of the first movie and the 1927/mostly Paris setting of the second film.

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald ended with Jacob alongside Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) on Team Dumbledore (Jude Law) at Hogwarts, while Jacob's love Queenie chose Team Grindelwald (Johnny Depp) with Credence in Nurmengard.

Speaking of Team Grindelwald, Poppy Corby-Tuech plays Vinda Rosier, Grindelwald's loyal right-hand woman, and the actress also seemed to preview her Rosier return for Fantastic Beasts 3:

Dan Fogler said one reason why Fantastic Beasts 3's filming was delayed is because the cast was told the third movie would be gigantic -- twice the size of the previous two films.

But Fantastic Beasts 3 has largely been a mystery, since J.K. Rowling has been working and re-working on the script for so long. Warner Bros. even revealed Harry Potter movies screenwriter Steve Kloves as her co-writer. That's a big change for the franchise, since she was the sole credited screenwriter for the first two movies. Up to a month ago, some cast members said they still hadn't seen scripts, so there could be plenty of changes from what we all thought might happen next.

This is all building toward the infamous duel between Grindelwald and Dumbledore, which the Harry Potter series already revealed happened in 1945. J.K. Rowling is planning five films for this franchise, so Fantastic Beasts 3 should have two more movies ahead. But first things first, and that means filming for the third movie.

In late 2018, J.K. Rowling made her Twitter header a photo of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in the 1930s, in what was seen as a big clue on what's to come. She also hinted at seeing more of Lally Hicks, a professor at Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the U.S. And we're supposed to see even more of Jude Law's Dumbledore at Hogwarts. (Law recently talked about the info-dump he got from J.K. Rowling on all of Albus' backstory.)

Fantastic Beasts 3 is currently expected to be released in theaters on November 12, 2021. Here's more of what we know so far about the movie.

The Harry Potter franchise is one that has been enthralling audiences for decades, and is showing no signs of slowing down. J.K. Rowling continues to expand the Wizarding World with the Cursed Child plays, theme park attractions, and Pottermore. Perhaps the most significant addition is the Fantastic Beasts franchise, which is a prequel to Harry's eventual tenure in Hogwarts. And it looks like we have an idea of when Fantastic Beasts 3 will start filming.

The Fantastic Beasts franchise got its sophomore run in theaters with 2018's The Crimes of Grindelwald, which set the stage for a Wizarding War. While the movie didn't fare as well as the original at the box office, the generations of Potterheads are eager for any indication of the threequel's arrival. A new update came to us from actor Dan Fogler, was quoted saying:

Well, that seems pretty cut and dry. Dan Fogler is expecting to reprise his role as Jacob Kowalski in February, when the highly anticipated Fantastic Beasts threequel starts filming. And that's only a few months away.

Dan Fogler's update on Fantastic Beasts 3 comes from his recent appearance at LeakyCon 2019 (via Comic Book). While there have been a variety of reports regarding when the threequel will finally start filming, Fogler seems confident in the current plans. Although it all depends on the writing of J.K. Rowling.

J.K. Rowling is the mind behind the Harry Potter franchise, and has personally been writing each installment of the Fantastic Beasts franchise. And it turns out that she's still very much involved in that process, despite The Crimes of Grindelwald going into production in just four months. But the iconic writer has also been known to plan out the big picture years in advance.

Smart money says things are going to get more dark and serious in Fantastic Beasts' third go in theaters. Jonny Depp's Gellert Grindelwald has ascended back into power, and we'll be able to see his true terrifying power in David Yates' threequel. While the first movie was a fun magical jaunt with tons of adorable creatures, the stakes continue to get higher as tensions grow within in the international magical community.

Related: Fantastic Beasts 3: What We Know So Far

The pressure is on for the third Fantastic Beasts movie to deliver, especially at the box office. J.K. Rowling has planned a five-film story, but Warner Bros. will want a bigger profit if the massive franchise is to continue. But as story becomes more connected with the settings and characters of the Harry Potter franchise, longtime fans will certainly be inclined to dead to theaters.

Perhaps a reason why audiences failed to connect with The Crimes of Grindelwald was because of how much set up the sequel had to do. The true scope of the franchise was shown, as fans got knee deep into the Wizarding War that preceded any of the action set in Harry Potter. Johnny Depp's Grindelwald made a quick cameo in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, but the character truly came into his own in the sequel. His escape from Azkaban showed just how powerful the dark wizard was, and the movie's runtime showcased how emotionally manipulative he could be as well.

The finale of The Crimes of Grindelwald was a bleak one, not dissimilar to Empire Strikes Back. Grindelwald only gained more power, and manipulating the Wizarding community to join him in a war against Muggles. Alison Sudol's Queenie Goldstein ultimately decided to join him, with her telepathic abilities now at his disposal. That's a powerful tool for such an expet

Also joining the Dark Wizard is Ezra Miller's Credence Barebone. The Obscurus-powered young had a morality struggle in The Crimes of Grindelwald, displaying empathy with Nagini. But he joined Grindelwald in his ring of fire, for the promise that he'd learn the truth about his lineage. The truth was a bombshell, and the biggest twist of the Fantastic Beasts franchise so far. Credence's real name is Aurelius Dumbledore, and he's Albus' brother.

This twist intimately connects the events of the Fantastic Beasts to Harry Potter, especially where Jude Law's Dumbledore is concerned. The beloved headmaster of Hogwarts already has a backstory mired in family conflict, and now it appears there's another surprising layer to that dynamic. While it's possible that Grindelwald was lying, the appearance of Credence's very own phoenix seemed to confirm its validity. After all, the magical birds are synonymous with the Dumbledore lineage.

As for Dan Fogler's Jacob, he's got the distinction of being the only non-magical leading character in the franchise. Still, he's gotten himself involved in the inner workings of the Wizarding World-- despite his memory being wiped at the end of the first Fantastic Beasts. The Crime of Grindelwald ended poorly for Jacob, who had to watch Queenie turn to the dark side. He'll presumably carry some guilt around this incident, especially as he called her crazy just moments before she passed over Grindelwald's blue flame.

It seems like just about anything could happen in Fantastic Beasts 3, as J.K. Rowling isn't a writer who avoid major plot twists. What's more, we still haven't seen Dumbledore and Grindelwald reunite on the big screen. Given their personal history and magical prowess, it should be an exciting showdown. Let's just hope it happens in the third movie, and not at a later date.

Whatever J.K. Rowlings' plans are for Fantastic Beasts 3, it's exciting to see that they'll come to fruition in just a few short months. The wait between installments can be excruciating, especially for a fandom as dedicated as Harry Potter fans. There are three more movies arriving in the current franchise, so Rowling could go seemingly anywhere with the upcoming blockbusters. As long as they continue to make money for the studio, that is.

Fantastic Beasts 3 is currently set to arrive in theaters on November 12th, 2021. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

Fantastic Beasts 3 already had a lot of questions to answer and now it has to explain why No-Maj Jacob Kowalski is half the man he used to be. Thankfully, actor Dan Fogler has an idea that might fit naturally with the storytelling of the third movie.

Not that he's seen a script for Fantastic Beasts 3. No, Harry Potter author and Fantastic Beasts screenwriter J.K. Rowling is STILL working on a new script for the third movie, which will start filming in February 2020.

Dan Fogler recently shared his hopes for Jacob and Queenie in Fantastic Beasts 3. As you'll recall, things did not end well for the couple in the second movie, The Crimes of Grindelwald. Queenie made the shocking choice to join Team Grindelwald at his base in Nurmengard. Jacob is still Team Newt on the other side.

Here's what Dan Fogler told fans at LeakyCon 2019 Boston (via Comicbook), noting how his own weight loss could help with Jacob's Fantastic Beasts 3 story:

Yeah, they could cover it any number of ways. That's the benefit of magic, but also of depression and the early 20th Century capital D Depression. That said, is J.K. Rowling currently writing any of that into the Fantastic Beasts 3 script? Did Dan Fogler warn The Powers That Be that he was going to lose all this weight, and they'd have to explain why baker Jacob is now wafer thin?

Here's a look at Dan Fogler as Luke in The Walking Dead Season 10, which is now airing on AMC:

Weight loss does make sense for the zombie apocalypse, and maybe it also makes sense for Jacob if his depression manifests in not eating. (I tend to binge eat when I'm upset, but I wouldn't mind having the opposite problem.)

Here's Dan Fogler's Fantastic Beasts 3 filming update from the recent fan convention:

That's where they are at. It sounds similar to what Eddie Redmayne recently said, about the script still not being finished. Redmayne, aka Newt Scamander, was excited about the story ahead, so even if they haven't seen the script, I think the actors at least have a basic idea of what's ahead. Dan Fogler previously said Fantastic Beasts 3 production had to be delayed several months because the movie is "gigantic" and bigger than the first two films combined.

But we also know the second movie disappointed with fans and at the box office, and Warner Bros.'s former boss even weighed in to say J.K. Rowling was heading back to work on the script to make sure they would get it just right. That was back in February and the script is still being polished here in October. At least we know they are taking this VERY seriously.

Fantastic Beasts 3 is currently scheduled for release on November 12, 2021. Here's what else we know so far about the third movie in what's still -- as far as we know -- planned to be a five-film franchise.

Fantastic Beasts 3, the third of five planned movies set in Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling's magical universe, recently delayed production by several months. Why? Well, it turns out the cast was given a specific and rather exciting reason for the delay. Let's hear it from Dan Fogler, who plays No-Maj Jacob Kowalski:

Nice. So Dan Fogler doesn't have a script yet, but he told Hey U Guys he knows that the movie is meant to be bigger than the first two Fantastic Beasts movies combined.

The Warner Bros. film was meant to start filming this summer, and when the delay was announced last month, "prep time" was also used as the reason. But we didn't know the film was going to be this "gigantic," on the scale of twice the size of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and Fantastic Beasts: Crimes of Grindelwald. I just kinda hoped they wanted to take the time to go over the script and try to correct the trajectory of the franchise.

Many fans loved Crimes of Grindelwald, but it still felt less magical to more than a few moviegoers. We've already shared a list of things we want to see in Fantastic Beasts 3, and J.K. Rowling has already promised that the third film will provide some answers.

Crimes of Grindelwald had a lower CinemaScore than the first Fantastic Beasts movie, and a lower box office take around the world -- by about $160 million, per Box Office Mojo figures. That's a lot of galleons. It also had the lowest Rotten Tomatoes score of the Harry Potter franchise to date.

J.K. Rowling is the screenwriter for all of the Fantastic Beasts films, and she has said they plan to do five movies. If this third movie is indeed "gigantic" enough to be twice the size of the first two films, that sounds very ambitious and probably quite expensive.

The production budget on Fantastic Beasts 1 was reportedly $180 million, with Crimes of Grindelwald at $200 million. It stands to reason that the budget for a much larger film would go up, especially if they are potentially adding in more locations like Brazil.

Some fans are sour on the franchise after the major left turn twists of the second film. Fantastic Beasts 3 has a lot of work to do to not only win those fans back, but make enough money to keep the franchise afloat for two more films after this one, leading up to the big duel between Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) and Gellert Grindelwald (Johnny Depp), which will probably come in the final movie.

It's not clear yet what the change in Fantastic Beast 3's schedule means for Ezra Miller's The Flash movie, but could it be a good sign for Dan Fogler on The Walking Dead? He just joined as Luke on The Walking Dead Season 9. TWD tends to start filming in early May and run through late November/early December. If Fantastic Beasts 3 was going to film in the summer, it would be hard to imagine Luke still being around. But if they start in late fall, well, that might be perfect timing to keep Luke around. Not that we know the Walking Dead story would go in that direction.

Dan Fogler clearly has a lot of story ahead for him -- as Jacob Kowalski in the Fantastic Beasts movies, and currently as Luke on The Walking Dead Season 9, which returns tonight on AMC. Fantastic Beasts 3 is probably going to lose any shot at opening in 2020, especially if it's so "gigantic," so pencil it in as a potential life choice for 2021. Here's what will be coming to the big screen later this year in 2019.

Spoilers ahead for Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.

J.K. Rowling's Wizarding World is an ever expanding place, with the acclaimed writer working on a ton of projects at once. Aside from the theme parks and Broadway play, the most exciting addition to the property is the Fantastic Beasts franchise. Its first sequel, The Crimes of Grindelwald, just arrived in theaters, and brought quite a few connections to the Harry Potter movies.

One of the new heroes in Fantastic Beasts is Dan Fogler's Jacob Kowalski, a muggle who finds himself involved in the magical world. When we meet Jacob in Crimes of Grindelwald, he's under a love spell, courtesy of his love interest Queenie. It turns out that lots of funny bits were cut from that sequence, as Fogler tells it:

I've got Wizarding FOMO. The Crimes of Grindelwald didn't have a ton of levity, but most of them came from both Newt's creatures, and Jacob's comic relief. And the scene where he's inebriated from a love spell is definitely a standout from the film's first act. It turns out we could have gotten more hilarious bits, but there just wasn't enough time for that particular scene.

Dan Fogler's comments might be disappointed for fans of Jacob's muggle moments in the Fantastic Beasts franchise, but they also reveal how methodically Warner Bros. and the crew approaches each blockbuster. Fogler only revealed more about the love spell when being asked about deleted scenes, of which he has none. It appears that the schedule was very specific, so most footage was safe from the cutting room floor.

It should be fascinating to see how Jacob continues being part of the Fantastic Beasts narrative. The Crimes of Grindelwald revealed that Dan Fogler's muggle character wasn't actually Obliviated during the first film's ending, and that he retained his memories of the Wizarding World. Jacob eventually got involved in the conflict with Grindelwald, while also suffering great personal loss with Queenie.

Queenie ultimately turned to the dark side in The Crimes of Grindelwald, leaving Jacob in the process. The dark wizard is now using her mind-reading abilities to manipulate Credence, and Jacob might be the only person who can snap her out of it.

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald is in theaters now. Be sure to check out our 2019 release list to plan your trips to the movies in the New Year.

Warning: The following contains SPOILERS for Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald!

The end of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them teased the continuation of Jacob and Queenie's relationship, hinting that love will conquer the magic and law that separated them. This happy ending is a far cry from the where the two stand at the end of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald after Queenie leaves Jacob to join Gellert Grindelwald. Actor Dan Fogler has revealed what Jacob is thinking at the end of the film now that Queenie is gone, saying:

So after all that happened between them, after Queenie used a love potion spell on him and dragged him to Paris to get married, after his love wasn't enough and she left his side to stand with Grindelwald, Jacob still loves Queenie and longs for her to come back to him. He has no doubt that he would forgive her if she did.

This sentiment rings true for Dan Fogler's character, as Jacob Kowalski has always been deeply earnest and loving, and the kind of person who would forgive the people he cares about. It was because of his love and concern for her that their troubles began in the first place, when he didn't want to get married for fear of the potential consequences she would suffer.

Throughout Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, the thing that is driving Jacob is to be with Queenie again and make their relationship work, and even after she walked away from him, he loves her and he can't give up on her completely.

As Dan Fogler told The Knockturnal, you see Jacob in this state of longing at the end of the film after the calamitous events at Grindelwald's rally. Jacob is standing with an unlikely group of good guys at the entrance to Hogwarts awaiting Jude Law's Dumbledore. You can see Jacob with his attention elsewhere in the image below.

Jacob is clearly heartbroken here, displaying the very personal cost of this strife. There is so much going on at the end of the film, as lines have been drawn, sides have been chosen and the Wizarding World is on the brink of civil war. But amidst the rising tensions in this still foreign world, Jacob Kowalski's concerns are extremely personal.

Jacob is not thinking of revenge against Grindelwald or what happens next, he is simply thinking about Queenie. I imagine he may have some guilt as well, for not going along with her marriage ideas and for calling her crazy out loud at the rally. I expect Jacob's desire to get Queenie back to be a big part of his story in Fantastic Beasts 3, and that may lead him to recklessness and danger.

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald is now playing. Take a look at what we thought of the film and head over to our Holiday Movie Guide to see all the biggest blockbusters and buzziest awards contenders heading to theaters this holiday season.

J.K. Rowling's Wizarding World has been going strong since the 1990's, and is showing no signs of slowing down. Now the acclaimed writer is intimately involved with the Fantastic Beasts franchise, with the second of five movies hitting theaters this weekend. The Crimes of Grindelwald will bring back the characters introduced in the first movie, and pair them with franchise favorites like Albus Dumbledore and Nagini.

Among the returning characters is Dan Fogler's Jacob Kowalski, the token muggle (or Non-Maj) of the franchise. Jacob may be a scene stealer, but his lack of magical abilities keeps him on the sidelines of duels and action sequences. Fogler recently spoke to this dynamic, when he was asked about feeling left out of the magical fun.

Looks like Dan Fogler, and therefore Jacob Kowalski, has a serious case of FOMO. Because while he's one of the biggest characters in the franchise, Fogler isn't able to participate in some of the most magical moments Fantastic Beasts. Seriously, the guy wants his own wand.

Dan Fogler's comments to LRM are what most fans would think if they had the privilege to be on the set of movies like The Crimes of Grindelwald. Because while he's part of a world that includes movies, novels, and plays, Fogler doesn't get to live the full fantasy, casting spells in a Wizarding Duel. That is, unless he ends up becoming a squib like Filch sometime in the franchise's future. There are 3 more movies coming, so anything seems possible.

Harry Potter fans are very eager to see how Jacob Kowalski ends up factoring into the story of The Crimes of Grindelwald, especially considering how the first Fantastic Beasts movie ended. After being introduced to the Wizarding World, Jacob's memory is obliviated by the rain that helped cleanse New York. And following a brief kiss with Queenie, he lost all memory of the magical journey he'd gone on with the rest of the characters. That is, until now.

Jacob will presumably get his memories back sometime during the events of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. There are also some fan theories indicating he might never have lost his memory in the first place. Given J.K Rowling's penchant for plot twists and secrets, it seems like just about anything is on the table.

Luckily, all of our questions can be answered this weekend, as Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald is currently in theaters now. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

David Yates' Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald begins a full year after the events of the first movie, and it's clear that things have changed in important ways for the main characters. It was a period that saw blossoming celebrity, new and deepening relationships, and more, and it's material that the lead actors had to understand in pre-production. And while some of it is and isn't canon, I got to talk with the cast all about it and the sequel's recent press day:

The domestic press day for Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald was held earlier this month in Los Angeles, and while sitting down with Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Ezra Miller, Claudia Kim, Callum Turner, Dan Fogler, and Alison Sudol in paired group interviews I asked them all the same basic question: what's been going on with these characters since the last frame of Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them? Each of them gave me some great background, some of it involving material that nearly made its way into the theatrical cut.

Eddie Redmayne's Newt Scamander, for example, has seen his life change significantly. Not only has he written and published the book he was discussing in the first movie, but it has becoming a hit in the wizarding community and earned him some extreme popularity. And while things have been a bit quiet in the romance department, he does have a new relationship with his assistant, Bunty (Victoria Yeates) to whom we are introduced in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald.

Of course, if you remember the end of Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them you probably already guessed that none of this makes Katherine Waterston's Tina Goldstein very happy. Newt promised that he would return once he wrote his book, but it was a promise that was broken. Things are only made worse when a newspaper erroneously reports that Newt is engaged to his old flame, Leta Lestrange (Zoe Kravitz), which eventually leads her to start dating again (though from Waterston's description of a deleted scene, it doesn't sound like her new relationship was going to be established as being in the greatest place).

For Ezra Miller and Claudia Kim, who play Credence Barebone and Nagini, a lot of their pre-production work involved getting close to one another and creating their own shared backstory -- which helped given that Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald doesn't tell us how the characters originally met. They had conversations with J.K. Rowling about the relationship (apparently Claudia Kim's first chat happened in the bathroom), but also made up their own ideas that they used for themselves.

When it came to Jacob and Queenie, played by Dan Fogler and Alison Sudol, the narrative was essentially the material of a romantic comedy. The two characters became all-but star-crossed lovers in the first movie, given the illegality of wizard/witch-muggle/no-maj relationships, and it seemed for a minute their story was over when Jacob's memory was erased. However, the final frame of the original Fantastic Beasts suggested a reignited spark in the man's mind, and Fogler and Sudol took it from there. Together they imagined a whirlwind romance, involving passion, high risk, and magical trips to Europe.

Compared to the rest of the actors I interviewed, Calum Turner had a bit of a different job playing Theseus Scamander, who is Newt's brother and makes his debut in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald. Rather than just filling in the events of a year, he had to establish the entire backstory of his character and the key relationships in his life. Fortunately there was plenty of material available for him to do research with, and the opportunities to talk about who Theseus is with David Yates and J.K. Rowling.

These are all puzzle pieces being put together within the Wizarding World, and audiences will be able to experience the latest chapter this weekend. Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald, which also stars Johnny Depp, Jude Law, Carmen Ejogo and William Nadylam, arrives in theaters Friday, November 16th -- and be sure to stay tuned here on CinemaBlend for a whole lot more of our coverage in the coming days and weeks.

WARNING: Some Spoilers for Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them are in play. Please bookmark this story until you've watched the film, unless you're ready for spoilers.

Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them was always going to be the doorway to more adventures in the wizarding world of J.K. Rowling. But instead of just three films, the Fantastic Beasts series is in the game for five installments of Newt Scamander and his friends fighting against the forces of darkness. So, now's probably a fantastic time to compile what we know about the next installment of this new series, which is titled Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. What do we know so far about this first Fantastic Beasts sequel? Read on and find out.

What Have We Seen From Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald?

With the movie's release now just a few weeks away as of this writing, we've finally gotten the final trailer for the film to feast our Wizarding eyes on. And, as you can see above, it promises tons of action, appearances from old favorites and new characters alike, and a lot of intrigue. If you were already excited for Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, then this look at the movie is sure to keep you hyped!

When Will Fantastic Beasts 2 Be In Theaters?

With previous reports that films in the Fantastic Beasts world would be coming every two years, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald pretty much makes good on that promise with its November 16, 2018 release date. It will be competing against Instant Family and Widows on its day of release, with the likes of Dr. Seuss's The Grinch and Overlord opening before it, and Ralph Breaks The Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2 being released the weekend after. Still, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald shouldn't have a problem making for a hell of an opening weekend.

What Will Fantastic Beasts 2 Be Rated?

Both the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts series have historically been in the PG / PG-13 wheelhouse. As predicted, the PG-13 rating has stuck to the franchise, as it doesn't seem that the darkness of the threats to the wizarding world will be lightening anytime soon. The official rationale by the MPAA for the rating is due to, "some sequences of fantasy action." With magical murder, warfare, and dangerous snakes flying around in the Wizarding World, we're not the least bit surprised.

Who Will Direct Fantastic Beasts 2?

After originally balking at returning to the world of Harry Potter, David Yates brought himself back into the fold with Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them. Previously, Yates had declared that first film as, seemingly, reinvigorating his desire towards seeing the series through its five film plan. Sure enough, David Yates returned to the director's chair for Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, making this his sixth film in the Wizarding World. Though this is far from going all the way, series producer David Heyman seems to think that if anyone could go the distance in the world of Harry Potter, it'd be Yates.

Where Will Fantastic Beasts 2 Be Set?

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald is going to be a pretty European affair, as the story is already set up for a trip to Paris, as previously indicated by director David Yates. Between a magical circus that sees Credence Barebone running away from home, and the French Ministry of Magic, there's going to be quite some action in the city of lights. Yates also previously indicated that the film will mark the series' return to the UK, and we've definitely seen footage of Newt Scamander and Albus Dumbledore apparating at Hogwarts, despite previous reports that the landmark location was a toss-up for inclusion.) Though, don't be surprised if the film at the very least teases a trip to Germany towards the end, as that's the home nation of newly in play Gellert Grindelwald, and it looks like World War II will definitely be included in the series' near future.

When Will Fantastic Beasts 2 Be Set?

There were rumors that the next film in the Fantastic Beasts series would take place almost immediately after the events of Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them. However, after those rumors made their way back to J.K. Rowling herself, she weighed in on those remarks, dispelling them and stating that it wouldn't "begin days after the first movie ended." With a timeline set between 1926 and 1945, there's a 19 year gap for the second film to play around with, though we'd like to think that 1930 would probably be a logical starting point for Fantastic Beasts 2.

What Is The Plot Of Fantastic Beasts 2?

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald sees the titular dark wizard escaping from MACUSA's captive watch, and making his way to Europe to try and wage war against the Mudblood and Muggle races. With Albus Dumbledore apparently being unable to fight this war himself, the Hogwarts professor enlists his former pupil, Newt Scamander, to help prevent said conflict. Their adventures will bring other Fantastic Beasts characters back into the fold, and will see them return to Hogwarts, as well as make their way through the magical portions of France.

Of course, it only makes sense that the story for Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald will see Newt continuing his career in magizoology, while also being roped into the continued search and fight against Gellert Grindelwald. Seeing as Albus Dumbledore was extremely close to Grindelwald, his reluctance to fight his former friend may be tied to his romantic feelings, though the two are on the path to conflict in the timeline set for the five film cycle. Also, it's to be assumed that Leta Lestrange, Newt's ex-girlfriend and now his brother Theseus's fiance, is more than likely in Grindelwald's camp, seeing as her family eventually has deep roots in the darker side of the wizarding community.

Which Characters Will Return for Fantastic Beasts 2?

The definite list of characters previously specified as coming back in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald were laid out by David Heyman as Tina, Queenie, Jacob, Credence, Grindelwald, and, of course, Newt himself. How these characters will be brought together, considering they'll be separated by an entire ocean, has yet to be seen. But, we have seen the various characters returning in various trailers and pieces of footage. Also, MACUSA president Serafina Piquery will also be returning, as Tina has been reinstated in the organization, and someone has to be in charge. Though, there are more questions around how Credence will reappear, considering the big reveal of his survival was removed from the finale of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. His appearance is confirmed though, as we see him in the Circus Arcanus (a sort of shady wizarding circus in France) with who looks to be the human form of Volemort's pet snake / horcrux, Nagini.

Will Newt Still Be At The Center In Fantastic Beasts 2?

Despite his front and center presence in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, David Heyman has gone on record as stating that Newt won't necessarily be the front and center character for the future Fantastic Beasts films. With the hunt for Grindelwald being of some importance to the wizarding world at this point, it would only make sense to shift focus onto more pressing matters and the characters who can really move the story along. However, Newt was our first focal point into this world, and neither he, nor his fantastic beasts will be leaving anytime soon. Although, this does make us question the strategy of naming every film "Fantastic Beasts and..."

How Well Does Jacob Remember The Events Of Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them?

At the end of Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them, baker and Muggle/No-Maj companion Jacob Kowalski had his memory wiped by the cleansing rain that Newt encouraged his Thunderbird, Frank, to bring down upon New York City. However, we see that at the very end of the film, not only has Jacob built his bakery, he's creating pastries that look like the fantastic beasts he was exposed to throughout the film. And, not only that, but he sees Queenie Goldstein, and looks to definitely have remembered her. At the recent VIP event for Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, actor Dan Fogler assured the crowd that we'll find out exactly how Jacob gets his memory back, and it'll be fairly early on in the film.

Which New Characters Are Joining The Cast?

The three big names that were originally thrown out as appearing in the Wizarding World of Fantastic Beast: The Crimes of Grindelwald were Albus Dumbledore, Leta Lestrange, and Theseus Scamander. With Dumbledore being an obvious inclusion into the Fantastic Beasts world the moment Grindelwald's name was printed in first film's opening sequence, Leta and Theseus are more tied into Newt Scamander's personal history, which only helps further integrate his story into that of the hunt for the villainous wizard he encountered in Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them. So far, we know that Leta Lestrange will be played by Zoe Kravitz, and is Newt's ex-girlfriend, who is now engaged to Theseus Scamander, played by Callum Turner. With her obvious relation to Harry Potter's Belatrix Lestrange, it'll be interesting to see how her presence links through to that of her relative by marriage.

Theseus was mentioned in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them as Newt's older brother, and a bit of a war hero in the First World War. Between those luminary contributions, and his current relationship with his brother's ex, a little bit of sibling rivalry seems to be on the horizon, and we've seen some of it come to the forefront in the latest trailer for the sequel. Rounding out the newer cast members of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald are two important characters to the Harry Potter canon: alchemist Nicolas Flamel, played by Brontis Jodorowsky, and Nagini, played by Claudia Kim.

When Did Fantastic Beasts 2 Begin Production?

Since Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald was scheduled for a November 16, 2018 release date, production was slated to start at some point in 2017. Per David Heyman's statement that "July / August" 2017 would be the projected start date, July 3, 2017 marked the official start of production on the second Fantastic Beasts film. The production was a smooth one, with everything wrapping up in December of that same year, and the release date remaining unchanged and locked for action.

What New Creatures Could We See?

There are quite a few creatures we haven't seen come to life that have been listed in Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them. With the return to England and a trip to Paris in the series' future, there's all sorts of environments and lands that other beasties are camping out in, just waiting to be found by Newt Scamander and whomever may accompany him. While we're not sure of any of the creatures we'll definitely see, there's more than likely a chance that we'll be seeing some dragons, as the Harry Potter series has made a big deal about their presence in this world, and Europe is probably the best continent to spot one on. The "Winged Horse," or the "Pegasus" as it's best known as in Muggle mythology, was a popular symbol among the UK's paratroopers. So, maybe we'll get to see those beauties at some point, setting them up to be used in any sequences set during the later part of the series' 19 year timeline. At the very least, we do know that there will be some baby Nifflers to coo over, once Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald debuts.

Will There Be Any References To Other Characters From Harry Potter?

Of course, the biggest question we have is, will any other Harry Potter figures be crossing over into the Fantastic Beasts series, other than Albus Dumbledore? Already, Gellert Grindelwald is going to be present during the rest of the series, so that base is covered. Also, with Nicolas Flamel and Nagini being confirmed as debuting in this second film, more links to the pre-existing mythology will start to wind between the past and the present. But, with Hogwarts being one of the settings for Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, we might see younger versions of some professors, such as Minerva McGonagall, who is born during the time frame of this series of prequels. Though, to be honest, we wouldn't put too much faith in seeing a lot of old faces from the Harry Potter realm, as Fantastic Beasts is meant to be both a prequel to those adventures, while also being its own thing.

PHOTOS: Copyright: (c) 2016 WARNER BROS ENTERTAINMENT INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

On beyond the key characters and regular battles with Voldemort, one key thing separates the story of Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them from the rest of the Harry Potter franchise: its setting. Unlike the Modern England-set series, the latest film is not only set in America, but even transports audiences back in time to the 1920s. It makes the upcoming David Yates-directed movie significantly different from everything that’s come before it, and according to co-star Dan Fogler, it has the effect of massively expanding the magic universe that Harry Potter opened.

I had the pleasure of quickly chatting with the Tony Award-winning actor about his role in Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them last week at CinemaCon – the annual convention held in Las Vegas for theater owners – and he had some very interesting things to say about the importance of the new fantasy movie’s setting. I asked about what made the American location of the story significant within the Harry Potter sphere, and he explained that it’s really about widening the scope of the world and being able to show sides of it that have been completely unexplored at this point. Said Fogler,

We’re still months away from the release of Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them, but already we know of certain institutions and terms that we wouldn’t have learned about without the expansion to American shores. For example, the movie will bring us deep into the world of the Magical Congress of the United States of America, and it’s been revealed that the U.S. doesn’t have the term “muggle,” but instead “No-Maj” as a way to describe those without access to magic. Surely this is also just the tip of the iceberg.

Set in 1926, Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them follows the adventures of Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne), a wizard and creature expert who travels from England to New York in order to attend a meeting with the MACUSA. He brings with him a magical briefcase full of all kinds of dangerous “beasts”, but finds himself in serious trouble when they all manage to escape – leading Newt to be hunted by authorities and the entire wizarding world to be put in danger.

Be sure to stay tuned for plenty more updates on Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them in the coming weeks and months, and get excited for the film’s release on November 18th.

The preproduction process continues to roll right along for the highly anticipated Harry Potter spinoff Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Just yesterday they cast one of the remaining important female characters, and today they found someone to play another key role, and get this: he’s a muggle.

Deadline reports that Dan Fogler has been tapped to play the role of Jacob in Fantastic Beasts. This is a part that has had names like Josh Gad, John Krasinski, and Michael Cera mentioned all hovering around. While the specifics are still somewhat unclear, there’s one thing that makes this character standout from the rest of the wizarding world, the fact that he’s a non-magical being. This is a first for the world created by J.K. Rowling, who also makes her debut as a screenwriter on the film, a vital character with no magical abilities.

Up to this point, the only muggles we’ve really encountered, like Harry’s aunt, uncle, and cousin, play relatively small parts. Granted, Argus Filch, the caretaker at Hogwarts, has no magical ability, but as a squib, the non-magical offspring of magical parents, he’s at least part of this realm and privy to its existence.

We don’t know a ton about Jacob or what his role in the action will be. He’s been described as the chief rival of protagonist Newt Scamander, played by Academy Award winner Eddie Redmayne. Scamander is a so-called magiczoologist and the author of the textbook used by Harry, Ron, Hermione, and the rest of the students at Hogwarts, from which the film takes its name. It’s going to be interesting to see how this dynamic develops and plays out.

Newt is in New York finding and cataloging all manner of wonderful magical beasts, and we’re curious to see how Jacob fits into the picture. Is he a muggle who is aware of the wizarding realm? Surely there must be some somewhere. Or perhaps the term rival is meant in a romantic sense, and maybe they’re competing for the affections of the same woman. We know that Katherine Waterston plays Tina, the female lead, so it is possible she a couple of serious suitors vying for her attentions.

Additionally, singer/actress Alison Sudol, who performs music under the moniker of A Fine Frenzy, just joined the cast as Queenie, Tina’s younger sister. Ezra Miller, who is set to play the Flash in the upcoming DC Extended Universe, also recently joined the party as a character named Kredan.

Set roughly 70 years before the events of the Harry Potter saga, Fantastic Beasts is intended to reveal another side of the magical world of wizards. We’ll get to see how magical Americans live, and we’ve even heard that we’ll see the stateside equivalent of Hogwarts show up on screen.

Directed by Harry Potter regular David Yates, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them should start filming later this year and has a release scheduled for November 18, 2016.

Now that Kyle Newman’s action comedy Barely Lethal has built up a cast of credible actors, it’s time to go for broke filling those last few roles. We can now look forward to the highbrow comedy stylings of actors Dan Fogler and the inimitable Steve-O, perhaps the most out there star of the Jackass films and television show. I know this news pleases some people, but I’m just happy these guys aren’t the film’s leads.

Written by John D’Arco, Barely Lethal follows a vicious 16-year-old international assassin who fakes her own death just to go to a high school and live a normal life. But life away from what she’s used to isn’t as easy as she thought, and she realizes that the life of an ordinary teenager is worse than she ever could have believed. According to Deadline, Fogler will star as Mr. Drumm, a well-liked teacher at the high school who makes an effort to become a bigger part of his students’ lives. Meanwhile, Steve-O will step in as Pedro, a trusted associate to Hardman (Samuel L. Jackson), a torturer/interrogator who actually has a heart of gold beneath his rugged exterior. Aren’t they all like that?

Fogler has been a rising star in offbeat comedies, first breaking out in 2007’s Balls of Fury. Oddly enough, his latest group of films has been tied to completely different genres, though he appears to just be playing Dan Fogler in each of them. In addition to a voice role in the animation Free Birds, Fogler starred opposite Josh Duhamel in the sparse indie thriller Scenic Route, the blasphemous horror comedy Hellbenders and the hard sci-fi thriller Europa Report. He’ll next star in the drama Don Peyote, which he also co-wrote and co-directed with Michael Canzoniero (Finding Cody).

Steve-O’s career hasn’t been nearly as active in recent years, though he has been getting more into stand-up and hosting, as he does with the truTV game show Killer Karaoke. As far as films go, he’ll soon be seen in the music documentary Skum Rocks! about a band who blew up in the late 1980s despite being absolutely terrible at music. Go figure.

Also starring Rachael Harris, Rob Huebel, Dove Cameron, Thomas Mann and Jaime King, Barely Lethal is currently filming with a release date set for some time in 2014.

And wouldn’t you know it? Steve-O is still posting videos to YouTube so that people can continue to watch him do potentially dangerous stunts. Here he is passing through an airline’s X-ray machine.

I'm a sucker for any film that just features two or more characters yelling at each other and hashing out their issues for the entire run time. It's one of the main reasons why I enjoyed last year's Roman Polanski movie Carnage so much, and the same can be said for movies and plays like 12 Angry Men, No Exit, and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? There's simply no better way to get a glimpse at human nature than to watch two people trapped in a desperate situation. That lovely tradition will continue with Scenic Route, the new film from writer Kyle Killen and directors Kevin and Michael Goetz. We first told you about the film last July and now, according to Deadline, the two leads have been found.

Josh Duhamel and Dan Fogler have both signed on to star in the new survival drama. In the story two former college friends decide to go on a road trip together, but things start going bad when their car breaks down in the middle of the desert. As they begin to lose hope that they will ever be found and rescued, they begin to take their panic out on each other, starting big emotional and physical confrontations. Killen is best known for writing the under-seen Jodie Foster-directed drama The Beaver, which came out last year, but he also created the upcoming NBC series Awake, starring Jason Isaacs (the show isn't set to debut until March 1st but you can watch the pilot right HERE).

When I first heard about this film I was thinking that they would cast much younger, but putting Fogler and Duhamel together is an interesting choice. Only problem is that I can't stop thinking of it as a dramatic version of Planes, Trains and Automobiles.

Take Me Home Tonight is, without question, one of the ten best comedies that will be released this year. It has heart, skillful camera work and more than a couple of big laughs, but there’s a good chance you’ll see none of that because so many of my fellow critics have mistakenly decided it’s terrible. It’s not. I won’t lie to you and say it’s as good as The Forty Year Old Virgin, but most movies aren’t. In fact, the majority of comedies are awful. They’re absolute shit like Just Go With It. Lazy, disorganized and most importantly, not funny, they exist merely to make a buck without care for their own characters or the audience that’s foolishly paid to see them. Comedy, like anything else, is about presenting new and interesting ideas, and Take Me Home Tonight is chock full of ‘em, letting its characters dream, make life decisions and behave in totally realistic—and funny—manners. To paraphrase Joe from Idiocracy, it’s about knowing who’s ass farted and why that’s funny.

In spite of this, Take Me Home Tonight has been getting slandered by idiotic, out-of-touch critics since it was released yesterday. Most have used words and phrases like “sophomoric”, “drunk” and “pointless” to describe its chaotic, one-night plot, but it’s actually not any of those things. It’s grown-up, sober and highly pointed, but there’s no explaining that to critics who seem to think a vomit is a vomit is a vomit and boobs are boobs are boobs. Just because characters behave in a juvenile manner doesn’t mean the subject matter is being dealt with in a base, unsophisticated manner. Here we have three characters with no idea what to do with their lives. Matt, an MIT graduate, is working at Suncoast Video because he’s unwilling to commit to anything which might trap him. Wendy, who recently applied to Cambridge, is stuck in an unfulfilling relationship with the most popular idiot in high school that hasn’t grown up. And Barry, bless his heart, is a mess. They may not have figured out where they’re going, but for one night, all three sure as hell try.

There are so many reasons this film is worth seeing. Out of consideration for your time and unwillingness to spoil it all, we’ve narrowed those reasons to four. None involve Topher Grace’s handsomeness.

Most Critics Don’t Know Comedy

You know those blowhard jackasses who say things like screw the critics, they’re always wrong anyway? I am not one of those jackasses. In fact, in many ways I’m the opposite. If there’s one thing going to the movies twice a week for the last decade has taught me, it’s that critics, when overwhelmingly agreeing with each other, are almost always right.

If ninety percent of critics tell you a movie is worth your time, chances are it’s worth your time. For the most part, these people know. You shouldn’t rely on them to formulate your own opinions, but you can rely on them in determining which films to see—with one very overt and powerful exception. Your average critic doesn’t know shit about comedy. Don’t believe me? Let’s look at Roger Ebert’s track record. The man is, without question, the greatest film critic of all-time. His words on a film count almost as much as the rest of the pack combined. He’s the reason I got into writing about movies, and well, there aren’t enough great things I can say about the man. Except when it comes to comedy. He gave Fast Times At Ridgemont High one star, Raising Arizona one and a half and Caddyshack two and a half. He thumbs down Dumb & Dumber and gave a glowing review to You Don’t Mess With The Zohan. He hated The Wedding Singer, yet lavished praise on The Nutty Professor II. It should come as little surprise to anyone that he called Take Me Home Tonight “inane” in a largely dismissive one and a half star review.

Technical Excellence Is Too Easily Ignored

Critics tend to get caught up in reviewing a movie’s script, but there’s more going on here than what’s written on the page. From a purely technical standpoint, Take Me Home Tonight is miles ahead of its comedic peers. Most comedies use the camera to show us the joke. Director Michael Dowse uses his to tell a story. Because the majority of the scenes take place within a party, this forces him to get a little creative.

He’s up for the challenge, particularly in an extended shot where Matt’s character is confronted with awful news. Shocked and irritated, he zones out while dozens of celebrating partygoers dance around him. It’s a quiet respite amidst chaos, but once the party is left behind, a few more wonderful moments emerge. One takes place on a trampoline, the other in front of a boss prone to sexual harassment. Write both the script and the direction off at your own peril. If you ever go back and take the time to listen and really watch, you’ll notice these cool little shots and complicated undertones exist throughout.

It’s About Twenty-Somethings

People in their twenties are underrepresented. They don’t have expendable income, and they don’t go to the movies. There’s something to be said for a movie like Take Me Home Tonight, a film which is candid, sometimes witty and represents twenty-somethings who are just on the way to getting their shit together quite positively and quite acutely. It’s not easy to not know where you’re going. Some of you may have always been Captain-have-your-shit-together, but I bet most of you at one point or another felt the way Matt Franklin and Tori Frederking feel in Take Me Home Tonight. You may have just forgotten, boozed your feelings away, or maybe those feelings make you too uncomfortable to ever have faced them properly.

There’s a generation gap with Take Me Home Tonight that’s likely influencing reaction. Older people might poke fun at the film’s incessant use of vulgarity, the large amount of nakedness, the certain stupidity that comes with being a young adult at that age. It’s alright to be a cocksucker, but this is often how life for a kid in his or her twenties is. People drink too much and throw up. Some kids are smart and don’t have their shit together, some kids are idiots and kind of do have their shit together--it goes many ways. The moments of idiocy in Take Me Home Tonight aren’t pointless or silly. Some of them are even inspiring. And some of them are really fuckin’ funny.

Chuck Klosterman once wrote about a night he met a random girl and spent the whole evening discussing the merits of Pearl Jam, Nirvana and Soundgarden. He never saw her again. He then reflects about how nothing like that would ever happen to him now. This stuff happens in your twenties. You meet people, sometimes you make poor decisions, and sometimes you hook up with your high school crush or a hot cougar or the pot-selling business major who lives next door. Then, you grow up, and move on. I get why people wouldn't necessarily want to relive those moments on the big screen; however, this fact shouldn't tarnish the value of the concept. Hating moments from your past shouldn't deride a film as harmless, intriguing, and well put-together as Take Me Home Tonight.

Anna Faris & Dan Fogler

Much of the credit for this success should go to Anna Faris and Dan Fogler, and neither of their names is exactly the type to garner respect. As you may know, each has a tendency to shoot for the fences, and in doing so, structure characters so over-the-top they no longer resemble anything we would meet in real life. Not here. Faris lets herself be swallowed up by her louder boyfriend. She lets the comedy come from understated reactions and great brother/ sister chemistry with Topher Grace. Watch her face near the end when she finds out a secret about her twin for the first time.

Then watch Dan Fogler’s. The star of such forgettable comedies as Balls Of Fury is great here, playing sixty percent as ridiculous. It may not seem a huge change, but because of that scale-back, his fat and loud schtick feels familiar, not annoying. He isn’t an obnoxious product of his movie environment, he’s an obnoxious dude we’d roll our eyes at in real life. And if that’s not enough, Topher Grace is steady as always, Chris Pratt is extremely funny in his limited work and Teresa Palmer turns her role into a lot more than just eye candy.

A look back at Roger Ebert’s review tells me viewers are giving this film three stars. They’re right. Take Me Home Tonight is a movie for all twenty-somethings and for anyone brave enough to want to remember the lives they led when they were still a little bit out of control. It’s a wonderful way to spend two hours. It’s better than its counterparts and absolutely worth your time. Please see it, and just this once, ignore the critics.

It's been nearly seven years since Robert Zemeckis made The Polar Express, the first film to be made entirely with motion capture characters. It's hard to argue that the technology isn't astounding, the style does still have one major problem: the uncanny valley. No matter how realistic the characters may get, humans will always be creeped out by things that appear to be human but aren't. Need proof that we still haven't gotten over that hurdle? Check out the trailer for Mars Needs Moms.

Apple has posted the look at the film which was directed by Simon Wells with Zemeckis serving as producer. In the film, a young kid learns a hard lesson when his mom is abducted by martians who "plan to steal her mom-ness for their own young." The movie features the voice talents of Seth Green, Joan Cusack, and Dan Fogler.

Check out the trailer below or in HD over on Apple.

Though I wasn't born until three years before they were over, the 80s is a fun decade to look back on. The hair, the clothes, the music and the movies are all so ridiculous, but it all has a very special kind of charm. Earlier this year, Hot Tub Time Machine was the movie that tried to make us all nostalgic for those lost years, and it looks as though Take Me Home Tonight will fill that role in 2011.

Starring Topher Grace, Anna Faris, Dan Fogler, and Teresa Palmer (as well as a host of others), the film takes us back to the summer of 1988 when a young slacker (Grace) and his two friends (Fogler and Faris) attend a party to celebrate their youth. Apple has posted the first trailer for the Michael Dowse film over at their website. Head over there if you want to catch it in HD or watch the video below.

The movie seems to have its bright spots and actually works pretty well up until the tone of the whole thing changes and everything becomes over-dramatic and angst-y. The reason I enjoyed Hot Tub Time Machine was because it was fairly devoid of heavy drama and instead kept focused on its over-the-top nature. Take Me Home Tonight seems to have some elements of that, but lets hope that it doesn't all get washed out. Also: I miss video stores.