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Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is coming around the corner this November! Being one of Warner Bro.’s most anticipated films, the film and its cast and crew will be making an appearance (multiple appearances) at this years San Diego (International) Comic Con, SDCC 2016.

Time Magazine included Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them as one of the most anticipated Comic Con films from Warner Bros, along side Suicide Squad and Wonder Woman. Time wrote:

“San Diego Comic-Con isn’t just about comics. The convention plays host to trailers, teasers and panels from Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters…

“This year, Wonder Woman (celebrating her 75th birthday) will vie for first lady of the convention as star Gal Gadot and director Patty Jenkins preview next year’s much-anticipated film; Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them will usher in the next era of J.K. Rowling’s wizarding world…

“…Between the onstage and on-shelf debut of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, the opening of a Harry Potter theme park at Universal Studios in Los Angeles and the upcoming trilogy Fantastic Beasts, the wizarding world is staging a comeback. Eddie Redmayne and Colin Farrell are among the actors that will join director David Yates (who helmed four of the Harry Potterfilms) to give the Comic-Con audience a deeper look at what J.K. Rowling’s vision of a magical, 1920s-era New York.

According to the Comic Con website and schedule, Warner Bros will showcase their highly anticipated releases (Wonder Woman, Suicide Squad, The LEGO Batman Movie, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, etc.) including Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. The showcase is scheduled for Saturday, July 23, 11:30 am. Comic Con has posted that David Yates, Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, Ezra Miller, and Colin Farrell will be in attendance for the panel. Basically the whole gang will be there.

Entertainment Weekly‘s coverage of this weekend’s SDCC events, states that fans will have signing opportunities from the Fantastic Beasts group:

“In addition to the panels, there will signing appearances in three distinct areas: the Warner Bros. Booth (Fantastic Beasts, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword), the DC Booth (Suicide Squad, Wonder Woman), and the LEGO Booth (The LEGO Batman Movie).”

So far at SDCC 2016, WB and Fantastic Beasts have hosted a wand-training workshop! We’ll keep you updated on more WB and Fantastic Beasts events at SDCC 2016 as the weekend unfolds!

Are you at #SDCC2016? Grab your wands and head over to our #FantasticBeasts wand master training booth! pic.twitter.com/eKlWzlujrB

— Fantastic Beasts (@FantasticBeasts) July 21, 2016

In addition, MuggleNet reported on test-screenings of Fantastic Beasts that occurred in Chicago this week. They gave a spoiler-free report of how the movie was received by the audience. MuggleNet reports:

• It is more adult-oriented and interesting to see how adult wizards exist and live in society.
• That said, this may also be the funniest movie of all the Wizarding World films. The humor worked for the most part and the audience really enjoyed most of the jokes. There may have even been some hidden adult jokes.
• The Wizarding World in the USA is much stricter and scarier than Britain’s Wizarding World.
• Beasts will not disappoint, but they do not steal the show.
• Dan Fogler (Jacob Kowalski) and Alison Sudol (Queenie Goldstein) steal the movie with brilliant performances.
• It was HIGHLY recommended that viewers know the Wizarding World laws and magical nuances before seeing this film. Muggles (sorry…”No-Maj’s”) will not get any explanations to the magical world.
• Newt is fighting a good fight, which makes the fans appreciate the magical beasts.
• Finally, our team was not disappointed and said the fans should look forward to a fantastic new film this fall.

Read more about the discussion focus groups with David Yates, David Heyman and the audience in the full report from MuggleNet, here.

As reported previously, Warner Bros and J.K. Rowling will be publishing the Fantastic Beasts screen play in book form (pre-order here). It was also announced last March that Warner Bros had gathered Publishing Partners, which will work to release Fantastic Beasts merchandise, interactive film-to-page books (particularly children’s books), and more. Warner Bros also formed a Harry Potter production team called the Harry Potter Global Franchise Development Team (HPGFD), and more of that can be read here. The Bookseller reported recently that Walker Books is a part of these publishing partners and production teams, and will be releasing a Fantastic Beasts interactive series. The Bookseller reports:

“Walker Books UK will publish a series of interactive children’s books based on the upcoming Harry Potter spin-off film “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”.

“The film, written by J K Rowling, was inspired by her “Hogwarts textbook”, also entitled Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, which was published by Bloomsbury Children’s in 2001. It follows the adventures of Newt Scamander as several of his magical creatures escape in New York, and will be released in the UK in November.

“Walker Books UK signed a sublicence agreement with Insight Editions, which has the rights to a global publishing program based on J K Rowling’s Wizarding World, and Warner Bros Consumer Products. The agreement is for “several” titles in novelty and interactive formats that go behind the scenes of the film, and publication will start this October.

“Walker Books UK will publish the books simultaneously with Walker Books Australia. In the US, the same titles will be released by Walker’s sister company Candlewick Press.”

 

The full report can be read here.

Following last week’s announcement of the publishing partners assisting with the creation and distribution of Fantastic Beasts merchandise and companion books, press releases from the publishers are circulating, giving us little hints at what to expect.

The CEO of Insight Editions, Raoul Goff, said of the announcement:

“Insight is thrilled to continue working with Warner Bros. Consumer Products, extending our current line of Harry Potter film-related products to include Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. The Fantastic Beasts line will have a little something for everybody and will feature all of the hallmarks of quality and creativity that fans have come to expect from the Harry Potter film publishing program.”

Their press release reminds us of their great merchandise, and the amazing works partnerships like this can produce on a global scale:

“For the last seven years, Insight Editions has published a wide range of books and collectible products for the Harry Potter franchise, including the Monster Book of Monsters prop replica (featuring a limited edition of Harry Potter: The Creature Vault), Harry Potter: A Pop-Up Book, and several other titles and formats released in over twenty-five languages worldwide.

In addition to products they have published themselves, Insight Editions has created multiple books for the Harry Potter film franchise that have been published in the US through HarperCollins and Scholastic—including the New York Times bestsellers Harry Potter: Film Wizardry, Harry Potter: Page to Screen, and Harry Potter Coloring Book.

“Our partnerships, both in the US and internationally, have become a cornerstone of the success of our Harry Potter film publishing,” said Goff. “We look forward to creating an equally strong global program for Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them for years to come.”

Ellie Berger – President of Scholastic Trade – commented on the partnership:

“As the U.S. publisher that introduced Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone to American readers in 1998, we are thrilled to partner with Warner Bros. Consumer Products to complement the expansion of J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World. We look forward to bringing the world of these amazing movies to existing fans and a new generation of readers.”

Catherine Bell, Scholastic UK’s Co. Group Managing Director, said:

“We are delighted to be publishing the tie-in programmes for Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and the original Harry Potter movies. With a range of exciting formats, we look forward to bringing the world of these amazing movies to existing fans and a new generation of readers.”

Iole Lucchese, President of Scholastic Canada, commented:

“We are absolutely delighted to partner with Warner Bros. Consumer Products to create products complementing the broadening scope of J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World. This publishing program for Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, marks the start of an exciting year for J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World, generating a magical publishing moment for Canadian fans and readers.”

Chief Executive of HarperCollins UK, Charlie Redmayne, commented:

“We are delighted to be publishing the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them tie-in books. The film promises to be a spectacular rendering of the wizarding world of J.K. Rowling, and the books will be the perfect companions for fans everywhere.”

President and CEO of HarperCollins Worldwide, Brian Murray, said:

“For the first time we are able to seamlessly plan, coordinate and integrate book publication of film tie-in editions across multiple languages and markets with Warner Bros. Consumer Products in North America and internationally to ensure the widest possible readership and awareness of the books and the film.

You can read the full press releases over at Mugglenet, here, and our coverage of the original announcement here!

Following speculations, Pottermore and Little Brown UK have just announced that the script book for Cursed Child will be released July 31st (Harry Potter / J.K. Rowling’s birthday)!

Pottermore reports:

A host of new print and digital publishing has been announced from J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World, including a Special Rehearsal Edition of the script book of new stage play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Parts I & II. 

Print and digital editions will publish simultaneously after the play’s world premiere this summer, and will comprise of the version of the play script at the time of the play’s preview performances. 

Theatre previews allow the creative team the chance to rehearse and explore scenes further before a production’s official opening night. Harry Potter and the Cursed Childopens for previews several weeks before its official first performance on Saturday 30 July and the Special Rehearsal Edition of the script book will later be replaced by a Definitive Collector’s Edition.

The news confirms that fans around the world will be able to join this next venture into the Wizarding World, so don’t fret if you didn’t get tickets to the play!

Pottermore also announced the release of Special Editions, and Jim Kay’s next illustrated edition of Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets!:

Next year will see the publication of four special editions of the first book in the UK, one for each of the four Hogwarts houses. There will also be a brand new edition of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them in 2017, with new content by J.K. Rowling, as well as new formats and editions of the Hogwarts Library books – Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Quidditch Through the Ages and The Tales of Beedle the Bard. 

Pottermore doesn’t play favourites, but we’re especially looking forward to nabbing a copy of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets illustrated by Jim Kay. That’s coming a little sooner, in October 2016, and we’ll be prodding Jim for a look at his latest work soon because we’re nosy like that.

2016 is looking like a huge year – Cursed Child, Fantastic Beasts, more Jim Kay illustrations – what more could we want?!

The latest instalment in Jody Revenson’s Harry Potter collection – The Artifact Vault – is now available to preorder.

Jody Revenson wrote the companion books Harry Potter: The Creature Vault (released October 2014), Harry Potter: The Character Vault (released October 2015) and Harry Potter: Magical Places from the Films (set to release 12th December 2015).

Revenson also contributed to the excellent New York Times Bestsellers Harry Potter: Film Wizardry and Harry Potter: Page to Screen.

The summary of The Artifact Vault:

‘Throughout the making of the eight Harry Potter movies, designers and craftspeople were tasked with creating fabulous chocolate-fantasy feasts, flying brooms, enchanted maps, and much more, in addition to numerous magical items necessary in a wizard’s everyday life—for example, newspapers with moving photos, vicious textbooks, and Howlers. Harry Potter: The Artifact Vault chronicles the work of the graphics department in creating vibrant and imaginative labels for potions bottles, brooms, and candy; the creation of Quidditch Quaffles, Bludgers, and Golden Snitches, lovingly crafted by the prop making team; and the stunning inventiveness used by the entire crew to create a rich, bewitched filmic universe. Accompanying the captivating text are never-before-seen art and design concepts, unit photography, and other filmmaking secrets from the Warner Bros. archive. This striking full-color compendium includes two exclusive bonus inserts—Gilderoy Lockhart’s classroom questionnaire and a Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes catalog—as well as many more surprises.’

The book is set to release 14th June 2016 – make sure to pre-order your copy here!

Amazon UK has unveiled a new Harry Potter book set that details the movie-making journey. This special book set of the films will include "never-before-seen art and text" in five volumes. Also included among the new material is a replica of the set prop of the Monster Book of Monsters, and a cloth-bound Harry Potter: Page to Screen. Only 3000 sets will be sold worldwide, starting December 4, for £552 (about $800 USD). Amazon's description of the set reads:

Bloomsbury, this morning, confirmed and released the first look at the Hogwarts Library Boxed Set we first learned about yesterday.  The books will be hardcover editions on the three previously published Hogwarts school books, "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them," "Quidditch Through the Ages," and "Tales of Beedle the Bard."  Check out an image of the books, here!

J.K. Rowling will receive the Freedom of the City of London on Tuesday, May 8 for her services to children's literature, according to a press release from the City of London.

The ceremony will take place at the Mansion House, the official residence of London's Lord Mayor. She will read aloud the Declaration of a Freeman and be presented with a framed parchment certificate.

In a statement, Ms. Rowling spoke of what the award means to her and some special perks:

“Both my parents were Londoners.  They met on a train departing from King’s Cross Station in 1964, and while neither of them ever lived in London again, both their daughters headed straight for the capital the moment that they were independent.  To me, London is packed with personal memories, but it has never lost the aura of excitement and mystery that it had during trips to see family as a child.

“I am prouder than I can say to be given the Freedom of the City, which, on top of all the known benefits (and few people realize this), entitles me to a free pint in The Leaky Cauldron and a ten Galleon voucher to spend in Diagon Alley.”

The Freedom of the City of London can be traced back to 1237. Today, people are presented with the award because it offers them a link with the historic City of London and one of its ancient traditions.

Previously we told you Bloomsbury was re-releasing Harry Schoolbooks, aka "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them," and "Quidditch Through the Ages" written by Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling in support of the Comic Relief Charity. That relaunch is due to take place next month now on July 6th, complete with new cover art for the books which we showed you last month. Bloomsbury has now issued ... Read the rest of this post

Bloomsbury, the UK publishers of the Harry Potter novels by J.K. Rowling, have announced they are re-releasing two of the companion books this summer: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them as Quidditch Through the Ages. Due to be released July 31, 2009, you can see here in our galleries the new artwork for Fantastic Beasts, and the new Quidditch cover art here.

The Bookseller cites a spokesper... Read the rest of this post

The Tales of Beedle the Bard written by Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling have been nominated this year at the Galaxy British Book Awards.  Beedle the Bard is on the shortlist for "Children's Book of the Year," along with a few others including: Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer,  Captain Underpants & the Preposterous Plight by Dav Pilkey, Artemis Foul & The Time Paradox by Eoin Colfer, Horrid He... Read the rest of this post

Bloomsbury (whose Beedle the Bard page is here) has updated their YouTube channel today with a video of Jo answering questions asked by children at the Beedle release party (originally reported by Leaky here), about whether her teachers knew she was a good story writer (not sure but it was her favorite subject; least was chemistry, which is why Snape is the potions teacher), Children's High Lev... Read the rest of this post

Thanks to reader arkapain, for the link to this article in the Los Angeles Times on how to turn Beedle the Bard into a movie. Suggestions include turning it into Potter prequel using Dumbledore's commentary, expand "The Warlock's Hairy Heart" (and no messing with the ending!), create more than five tales and use them for an animated spinoff, or make the greatest HP DVD extras ever. A lot more o... Read the rest of this post

Well, this didn't take long: the first rumors of a Tales of Beedle the Bard movie have hit the net. Just mere days after the release of the new book from Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, CinemaBlend is reporting  that Warner Brothers has "a strong interest" in making Beedle the Bard, the Movie once the Deathly Hallows films are done. The report says that :

Knowing that the magical gravy train ... Read the rest of this post

Our Leaky Lounge has opened up a brand new book club today, just in time for the publication of The Tales of Beedle the Bard by Harry Potter author J. K. Rowling.  The Beedle the Bard Book Club will be the center for fresh discussion of the fairy tales during the month of December before becoming part of our traditional Harry Potter Book Club in January.  Now is the time to get a hold of your c... Read the rest of this post

Quick reminder: We hope to see you tonight at our live PotterCast, in celebration of The Tales of Beedle the Bard. It is at:

Books of Wonder
18 W. 18th Street, NYC
6pm to 8pm

This will be our first live audience discussion of The Tales of Beedle the Bard. Cheryl Klein, continuity editor of the Harry Potter books in the US, will be joining us for the festivities and book discussion!

Secondly, a... Read the rest of this post

We have a couple more details on topics discussed by Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling yesterday at the release party for The Tales of Beedle the Bard. In response to a question at the event yesterday in Edinburgh, Scotland, Jo said that none of her invented Harry Potter locations were based on actual places in the real world. Other topics covered involved the books she liked as a child, that En... Read the rest of this post

An update comes today regarding the ongoing JKR/WB vs. RDR Books trial.  Publisher RDR Books voluntarily withdrew its appeal in the RDR Books vs. WB/JKR case concerning the publication of an unauthorized Harry Potter encyclopedia.  The publisher is working on releasing a version of the book in question that complies with the judge's ruling, which indicated that the original book copied heavily ... Read the rest of this post

Behold, the Bard! The Tales of Beedle the Bard, the new book by Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling has now officially be released! Last night, some fans were able to attend special midnight release parties, such as those in Edinburgh, Scotland. The Scotsman reports that while the parties were not as large as in years past, fans still dressed as their favorite characters and "enjoyed a Hogwarts-st... Read the rest of this post

As promised, Scholastic has now released video of Arthur Levine, editor of the US editions of the Harry Potter novels,  reading from his handwritten copy of The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling. In the video which you can see here, Arthur reads from the Fountain of Fair Fortune. Enjoy!

A second handwritten copy of The Tales of Beedle the Bard was unveiled today in Edinburgh, Scotland, this belonging to J.K. Rowling's first editor Barry Cunningham. This copy will be on display at the National Library of Scotland, site of a launch day tea party event being held tomorrow. At the event, Jo will be reading from Beedle and answering questions. You can see a new photo of Mr. Cunning... Read the rest of this post

In our video galleries, and embedded below, is a short wrapup of the conference and events at today's Beedle the Bard unveiling at the New York Public Library, featuring a very invested and enthusiastic Arthur Levine (co-editor of the HP books).

This Friday, with the release of the latest Harry book, The Tales of Beedle the Bard, PotterCast will do a live event at Books of Wonder in New York City, the city's oldest and largest independent bookstore, which has been celebrating Harry since its debut. We can't wait to see you there to have the first live discussion of the book.

The event will be from 6 to 8 p.m. at 18 W 18th Street, New Y... Read the rest of this post

Previously we told you there were to be release parties in the UK for the release of The Tales of Beedle the Bard along with a possible shopping event here at some stores in the US. Borders has now issued a press release stating they will be holding special evening parties on December 4 for the release of the new book from J.K. Rowlin,  along with providing special holiday discount shopping for... Read the rest of this post

With just four days left until the release of the new book by Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, fans (including this editor) who have pre-ordered their copies of The Tales of Beedle the Bard have started seeing their order status set to "shipping soon" or "dispatching soon." Very exciting business indeed!
On a related note, the LA Times is one of many papers starting to preview the book which go... Read the rest of this post