But it's a little different. The fictional student manual, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (which Rowling actually penned into a real book for charity in 2001 as a Harry Potter collectible), is written by the fictional character Newton Scamander, a magizoologist. The movie follows the adventures of Newt and is set to be released Nov. 1, 2016. Here's what we know.
1. It's not a prequel
Image: YouTube/Canal de TheMagicOfHogwarts
Last year, Rowling said this new film is "neither a prequel nor a sequel to the Harry Potter series, but an extension of the wizarding world." So, the two stories are definitely related, as the charms, creatures and customs will all be familiar, but "Newt's story will start in New York, 70 years before Harry's gets underway," she continues. (Um, this means Albus Dumbledore would be about 30 — appearance, please!)
2. Magizoo-what?
Image: YouTube/Harry Potter
Magizoology is the study of magical creatures, of course. You may or may not remember that Luna Lovegood became a magizoologist. And here's the cool part: She ended up marrying Rolf Scamander. Does that name sound familiar? Rolf Scamander is Newt's grandson!
More: Harry Potter actress slams anti-gay trolls in impassioned open letter
3. Eddie, meet Newt
Image: Apega/WENN
Earlier this month, Eddie Redmayne was announced to play Newt Scamander in the movie. As an Academy Award and Golden Globe winner, we can't wait to see what Redmayne brings to the silver screen and neither can Rowling:
JK Rowling tweet about Eddie Redmayne
4. Katherine, meet Eddie
Image: Brian To/WENN
Today, Warner Bros. announced that Katherine Waterston (Boardwalk Empire, Inherent Vice) will star as Porpentina ("Tina") alongside Redmayne. Originally, she auditioned against Kate Upton and Elizabeth Debicki for the role of Tina's sister, Queenie — but instead, she was picked over Dakota Fanning, Saoirse Ronan, Lili Simmons and Alison Sudol for the role of Tina.
5. This will be a first for Rowling
Image: A Miller/WENN
We know J.K. Rowling can write. But this film will feature her debut as a screenwriter. After meeting with new Warner Bros. CEO Kevin Tsujihara, she explained, "And then I got out the rough draft that I'd thought was going to be an interesting bit of memorabilia for my kids and started rewriting!"
More: J.K. Rowling writes heartfelt letter about bullying to Harry Potter fan
6. America is on the map
Image: YouTube/RobertEaglefy
Where was America in the Triwizard Tournament? Well, Rowling may not have answered that question during her question-and-answer session on Twitter last week, but she did give us a few insights:
- There will be a wizarding school in America.
- It is not located in New York.
- It has connections with a Native American culture.
- Its name is of "immigrant origin."
But, hang on, don't go hunting for American auditions just yet. Even though the film takes place in America, it will be shooting on the old Harry Potter stomping grounds in Leavesden, Hertfordshire, in the U.K.
7. Get ready for "three megamovies"
Image: YouTube/parodypieshow
I think you could make a pretty good bet there will be sequels. The New York Times reported during an in-depth article on Tsujihara that there will be a trilogy of movies. And other sources reveal Tsujihara saying, "Jo [Rowling] has a vision for this extension of the franchise, and for the first time, she is writing the script for what she believes is at least a trilogy."