It seems the upcoming "Harry Potter" spin-off movie, based on J K Rowling's book of same name, will be much darker and serious than expected.
"Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" tells the story of Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne), an English wizard who visits the US in 1926 in search of magical creatures.
Entertainment Weekly has reported that the "magiczoologist" visits New York with a magical weathered case that can hold a number of things but looks like a normal one from outside.
In the case are numerous species of rare and endangered magical creatures Scamander has been collecting around the globe.
Once in the US, Scamander discovers that the American wizarding community is living under the fear of "No-Maj" population (American term for muggles, people who don't have magical powers).
The country is in an extremist state where wizards and witches are considered unlucky and bringers of misfortune. The ideas are being provoked by a fanatical extremist group called "the Second Salemers", who believe eliminating all wizards is the only way to bring peace.
Unfortunately, in his venture, Scamander mistakenly releases a number of creatures from his case. These creatures wreak havoc for No-Maj people, reaffirming their belief that wizards are nothing but pure evil.
The situation becomes worse as the Second Salemers declare it a plot by wizards to conquer the world, and the signs of a war against them.
How Scamander and the rest of the American wizarding community deal with the situation forms the crux of the film.
Unlike the book, which is more about facts and details pertaining to various magical creatures, the film will have an entirely new screenplay written by Rowling herself.
Whether "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" will succeed in recreating the magic of the "Harry Potter" films all over again, only time will tell.
