Fantastic Beasts 4 is the anticipated sequel to Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, though Newt Scamander's return for another Wizarding World movie isn't certain. The Fantastic Beasts franchise, a prequel series set decades before the Harry Potter films, has not had the smoothest journey. Between the release of the second and third films, the role of Grindelwald was recast, and J.K. Rowling was at the center of controversy. The Secrets of Dumbledore is the third installment, following Albus Dumbledore, Newt Scamander, and their allies as they aim to stop Gellert Grindelwald taking over the Wizarding World.
The third film certainly leaves room for more of Grindelwald and Dumbledore’s story to be told in Fantastic Beasts 4. Before the release of The Secrets of Dumbledore, it seemed rather clear there would be a fourth installment in the series. However, the future of Fantastic Beasts could depend on a lot of factors, especially now that HBO is officially expanding the Wizarding World franchise with a Harry Potter reboot television series. With WarnerMedia merging with Discovery too it seems likely that the Fantastic Beasts franchise may forever be a trilogy with no Fantastic Beasts 4 release date in sight.
With Fantastic Beasts' franchise at an indefinite halt, Max's Harry Potter reboot could bring back Newt Scamander due to one 20-year-old Easter egg.
The Latest Fantastic Beasts 4 News
Eddie Redmayne Offers A Grim Update
he seemed confident that Scamander (and by extension
Fantastic Beasts
) was done for.
More than a year after it was announced that development had been "parked", the latest news finds Eddie Redmayne offering a troubling Fantastic Beasts 4 update. The actor, who played Newt Scamander in all three films, seemingly put hopes of the series' return to bed in October 2024, when he said "I think they probably have [seen the last of Newt]. That was a very frank answer, but yeah." Though Redmayne did hint that his character could appear at Universal Studios Florida's newest expansion park, he seemed confident that Scamander (and by extension Fantastic Beasts) was done for.
Read Redmayne's full comments below:
“I think they probably have [seen the last of Newt]. That was a very frank answer, but yeah. And that’s as far as I know. I mean, you’d have to speak to the people at Warner Bros. and J.K Rowling, but as far as I know, that’s it. I think he may come back in a glimpse in the Universal world in Florida that they’re opening up, in which you may catch a glimpse of what he was up to in Paris.”
Fantastic Beasts 4 Hasn't Been Confirmed
Development On The Next Fantastic Beasts Movie Hasn't Moved Forward
Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore was initially envisioned to be the third in a five-part pentalogy of Fantastic Beasts movies. However, there's still no word on whether Fantastic Beasts 4 has been confirmed as of late 2024. Comments like those from star Eddie Redmayne and the new Harry Potter TV series aren't exactly promising, and Redmayne revealed in a December 2022 interview (viaIndieWire) that he's heard neither hide nor hair about plans for Fantastic Beasts 4.
Redmayne would follow up those remarks in late 2024 by essentially saying fans had seen the last of Newt Scamander, and that seemingly damns the entire project. With the Harry Potter reboot television show now at the forefront of the goings-on in the Wizarding World franchise, it looks like WB will focus all its efforts there rather than a Fantastic Beasts movie.
The Fantastic Beasts movies include:
Fantastic Beasts Movie
Release Year
Rotten Tomatoes Score
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
2016
74%
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald
2018
36%
Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore
2022
46%
Fantastic Beasts 4 Cast
Which Characters Can Return For Fantastic Beasts 4?
Since Fantastic Beasts 4 hasn't been confirmed yet, there is no cast to report. That being said, on the slim chance that the movie is still happening, it's best to look back at previous installments to see who would carry over. Rowling doesn't look like she's giving Ezra Miller (The Flash) the boot just yet, and he'd likely return as a dying Credence. Presumably, Mads Mikkelsen (Doctor Strange) would stay in the role of Grindelwald, as Johnny Depp most certainly won't return, and Jude Law (A.I.) would remain as Dumbledore.
Eddie Redmayne (The Danish Girl) hasn't heard anything about Fantastic Beasts 4 going by his previous comments, but he'd definitely come back as Newt if the opportunity arises, and the same goes for Dan Fogler's (Balls of Fury) Jacob Kowalski. As for Queenie, Tina, and the rest of the gang, their lack of presence in Secrets of Dumbledoremakes their futures less certain (particularly Tina).
The presumptive cast includes:
Actor
Fantastic Beasts Role
Eddie Redmayne
Newt Scamander
Mads Mikkelsen
Grindelwald
Jude Law
Dumbledore
Ezra Miller
Credence
Dan Fogler
Jacob Kowalski
Fantastic Beasts 4 Story
How Secrets of Dumbledore Sets Up Fantastic Beasts 4
The plot of Fantastic Beasts 4 was teased by the ending of the third movie. Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore ends with Aurelius being taken by Aberforth Dumbledore, who is revealed as Aurelius’ father. After losing the elections to lead the International Confederation of Wizards (ICW), Grindelwald and Dumbledore are now able to duel each other after the latter aims to defend Aurelius’ life from the former’s wrath. The breaking of the blood pact is crucial to how the franchise moves forward.
Dumbledore is no longer hindered by it and can finally engage with his ex-lover in a way he couldn’t for years. More importantly, the ending of The Secrets of Dumbledore reveals Grindelwald’s bad intentions to the entirety of the Wizarding World, who was watching the events of the election unfold. That could mean Grindelwald remains in hiding for most of Fantastic Beasts 4, building his army behind the scenes before returning to the public eye.
What HBO's Harry Potter Reboot Means For Fantastic Beasts
The Wizarding World Reboot Isn't Good For Newt Scamander
The latest creative direction from WB. for the franchise is a Harry Potter reboot television series, which is officially making its way to HBO Max — and the news doesn't bode well for Fantastic Beasts 4. After Fantastic Beasts 3's poor foray at the box office, the fate of the Wizarding World hung uncertainly in the balance. Warner Bros. doubled down on its commitment to the Wizarding World franchise, despite its recent failures, as other products outside of Fantastic Beasts, such as the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child stage play and the Hogwarts Legacy video game, performed exceptionally well.
While Warner Bros. hasn't officially canceled the film, director David Yates has stated that the franchise is "on hold," suggesting that the film may not be produced.
While the announcement of a Harry Potter reboot television show being officially in the works at HBO Max is exciting news for HP fans, it seems like the final nail in the coffin for Fantastic Beasts 4. With star Eddie Redmayne's admission that he's heard no news of the sequel, David Yates' full schedule, and now the announcement of a new Harry Potter project officially in development, Fantastic Beasts 4 seems to have been pushed to the wayside in pursuit of bigger and better things. Either way, Warner Bros. new focus could also end the possibility of a Fantastic Beasts 4.
The Fantastic Beasts franchise is a prequel and spin-off of the Harry Potter series, set in the Wizarding World. It follows the adventures of Newt Scamander, a magizoologist who travels the globe studying magical creatures. The series expands into the political and social conflicts of the magical community, particularly the rise of dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald and his confrontation with a younger Albus Dumbledore. The films focus on themes of friendship, loyalty, and the battle between good and evil, against the backdrop of a magical world in the early 20th century.
The Fantastic Beasts franchise is a prequel and spin-off of the Harry Potter series, set in the Wizarding World. It follows the adventures of Newt Scamander, a magizoologist who travels the globe studying magical creatures. The series expands into the political and social conflicts of the magical community, particularly the rise of dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald and his confrontation with a younger Albus Dumbledore. The films focus on themes of friendship, loyalty, and the battle between good and evil, against the backdrop of a magical world in the early 20th century.
Custom Image by SR Image Editor
English (US) ·