'Harry Potter' Author J.K. Rowling Talks About 'Fantastic Beasts' starring Newt Scamander and Being in the ‘Potter’ Universe Again [PHOTOS] [VIDEO]
"Harry Potter" author J.K. Rowling talks about the upcoming film "Fantastic Beasts" starring Newt Scamander and what it's like to be in the "Potter" universe again. She spoke about the "Harry Potter" spinoff during the fundraiser for her Lumos Foundation on Nov. 9, 2013.
CREDIT: YouTube/NEWNEWS
The fundraiser was held at the "Harry Potter" Studio Tour in England and it reportedly raised over 1 million. It was like a mini reunion for the "Harry Potter" cast as well because Emma Watson, who played Hermione Granger, attended the event along with Alan Rickman, who played Professor Snape, Evanna Lynch who played Luna Lovegood and Warwick Davis who played both Professor Filius Flitwick and Griphook in the "Harry Potter" films.
Actor Hugh Grant was also on hand to support Rowling's charity event.
The event featured a tour of the "Potter" studio, magic shows, a dinner and a charity auction.
At the end of the fundraiser, Rowling was interviewed by BBC about the "Fantastic Beasts" film. BBC asked her if she ever wants to leave or say goodbye to the "Potter" universe. Rowling's response can be found below. (Or, check the video above to watch the said interview).
"To be honest, it was seventeen years [since she started writing Harry Potter]. And now I'm back there. In a very different way, it's different characters, but it is the same world. I think part of me will forever live there," Rowling said to BBC in a Hypable report featuring a video posted by NEWNEWS on YouTube.
"And I'm not sorry about that," she added in the video.
According to Rowling's official Web site, Warner Bros. announced on Sept. 12, 2013 that she would debut as a screenwriter in the company's planned new film series "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them." It is inspired by the "Harry Potter" textbook from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The lead role will feature the textbook's author, Newt Scamander.
Rowling also released an official statement about "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them," and the character Newt Scamander.
"It all started when Warner Bros. came to me with the suggestion of turning "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" into a film. I thought it was a fun idea, but the idea of seeing Newt Scamander, the supposed author of "Fantastic Beasts," realized by another writer was difficult," Rowling said in a statement on her Web site.
"As I considered Warners' proposal, an idea took shape that I couldn't dislodge. That is how I ended up pitching my own idea for a film to Warner Bros.," she added.
She also mentioned a brief synopsis of the planned "Fantastic Beasts" film.
"Although it will be set in the worldwide community of witches and wizards where I was so happy for seventeen years, "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" is neither a prequel nor a sequel to the Harry Potter series, but an extension of the wizarding world," Rowling explained in her official statement.
"Newt's story will start in New York, seventy years before Harry's gets underway."
"I always said that I would only revisit the wizarding world if I had an idea that I was really excited about and this is it," the author added.
"Harry Potter" fans will be delighted to read and hear author J.K. Rowling talk about "Fantastic Beasts" starring Newt Scamander and being in the 'Potter' universe again. More importantly, they will finally have something to look forward to especially since the "Harry Potter" series of books and films has already ended.
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