While the film industry is at a troubling point with studios not giving fair deals, it is not the only issue stopping major franchises. Harry Potter director David Yates has opened up about his doubts about making more Fantastic Beasts movies. Between box office drops and the reception of the films, we may have to wait until the rebooted Harry Potter series for another trip to the wizardry universe.
Harry Potter Director Talks Future Fantastic Beasts Movies, Which Does Not Look Good
Talking on the Total Film podcast, Yates said the last entry of the Fantastic Beasts movies, The Secrets of Dumbledore, created a moment to “stop and pause, and take it easy.” It was vague, but it could be due to the film’s 46% on Rotten Tomatoes and $407 million box office earnings from its approximate $200 million budget.
The future has not been eviscerated by a devastating spell. He casts his hopes to return while currently promoting his latest film, Pain Hustlers, which stars Chris Evans and Emily Blunt.
“I’m sure at some point, we’ll be back. But yeah, I haven’t spoken to Jo [J.K. Rowling], I haven’t spoken to [producer] David Heyman, I haven’t spoken to Warner Bros; we’re just taking a pause. It’s quite nice. It allows me to do stuff like this.”
David Yates on the Inside Total Film podcast
The plans were already lofty after author J.K. Rowling confirmed it would be a five-movie story. When she had said that, Yates said to Total Film how it “was a surprise to most” of the team. He said that she “mentioned it spontaneously” when doing press for the film. Between box office declines, poorer reviews, and controversies, the plan seemed less and less likely.
The entirety of Harry Potter has been tainted in recent years. Rowling has been known for making multiple transphobic stances. Meanwhile, the Fantastic Beasts films had problems with its cast. Ezra Miller was arrested, and multiple crimes surfaced, some of which included instances of assault. During the Johnny Depp-Amber Heard trial, he was recast with Mads Mikkelsen to take on the role of Grindelwald.
