Warner Brothers is counting on Fantastic Beasts to be a hit. They've already announced it will be the first in a five-movie series. The Harry Potter spin-off doesn't have any of the same cast members from the Potter movies -- it's set in a different time period and country entirely -- but it does have author J.K. Rowling. She wrote the screenplay, which is also being released as a book. Warner Bros has had issues with their DC Comics movies this year -- they've made money, but haven't been widely embraced by fans. The hope for Fantastic Beasts is that the Harry Potter fans will come out in force and support the new franchise, especially since Rowling is involved.
KCRW
