J.K. Rowling to Write Screenplays for New Films Set in Harry Potter Universe

Posted on September 12, 2013

J.K. Rowling will write screenplays for new films set in the Harry Potter universe. Warner Bros. announced a deal with Rowling for new films centered around the book, Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them.

The films will follow the journey of the fictional book's author, Newt Scamander. Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them was one of Harry Potter's text books at Hogwarts in the Harry Potter series.

Rowling said in a statement, "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. The laws and customs of the hidden magical society will be familiar to anyone who has read the Harry Potter books or seen the films, but Newt's story will start in New York, 70 years before Harry's gets underway."

The New York Times reports but Warner Bros. initially approached J.K. Rowling with the idea of making the Newt Scamander tale into a film, but she pitched writing the screenplay herself. Warner Bros. then wisely accepted her counter proposal. This will be Rowling's first screenplay.

J.K. Rowling says, "As I considered Warner's 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 Brothers."