Warner Bros. has released a new featurette for Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald that goes deeper into the film’s plot. While we previously knew that the conflict would revolve around Grindelwald (Johnny Depp) escaping and Dumbledore (Jude Law) recruiting Newt (Eddie Redmayne) to take down the dark wizard. However, this featurette reveals that part of Grindelwald’s plan involves Credence (Ezra Miller), who displayed incredible power in the first Fantastic Beasts movie.

Watching the featurette, I’ve become pretty steadfast in my belief that this is a make-or-break entry for the franchise. Even though it will continue to its conclusion because the Harry Potter franchise is so valuable, that doesn’t mean that fans are necessarily interested. Some have accused J.K. Rowling of tinkering too much with her own mythology, but that doesn’t really bother me if the outcome is compelling. That being said, WB would be wise to find a way to have this entry ditch Johnny Depp. You can still keep the Grindelwald character, but Depp brings more controversy that box office success. Far better to lose the controversy and find another actor to play the part.

Check out the Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald featurette below. The film opens November 16th and also stars Katherine Waterston, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, Ezra Miller, Zoë Kravitz, Callum Turner, Claudia Kim, William Nadylam, Kevin Guthrie, Carmen Ejogo, and Poppy Corby-Tuech.

Here’s the official synopsis for Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald:

At the end of the first film, the powerful Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald (Johnny Depp) was captured by MACUSA (Magical Congress of the United States of America), with the help of Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne).  But, making good on his threat, Grindelwald escaped custody and has set about gathering followers, most unsuspecting of his true agenda: to raise pure-blood wizards up to rule over all non-magical beings.

 

In an effort to thwart Grindelwald’s plans, Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) enlists his former student Newt Scamander, who agrees to help, unaware of the dangers that lie ahead.  Lines are drawn as love and loyalty are tested, even among the truest friends and family, in an increasingly divided wizarding world.

 

The film features an ensemble cast led by Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, Ezra Miller, Zoë Kravitz, Callum Turner, Claudia Kim, William Nadylam, Kevin Guthrie, Carmen Ejogo, Poppy Corby-Tuech, with Jude Law and Johnny Depp.

 

“Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald” is directed by David Yates, from a screenplay by J.K. Rowling.  The film is produced by David Heyman, J.K. Rowling, Steve Kloves and Lionel Wigram.  Tim Lewis, Neil Blair, Rick Senat and Danny Cohen serve as executive producers.

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Image via Warner Bros.
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Image via Warner Bros.

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