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Saturday, October 24, 2020

Upcoming Harry Potter Books, Movies And More: What's Ahead In J.K. Rowling's Magical Universe

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Upcoming Harry Potter Books, Movies And More: What's Ahead In J.K. Rowling's Magical Universe
Harry Potter reading

When it comes to the Harry Potter universe, J.K. Rowling can't stop, won't stop, and we're not complaining. While the author may be content to leave Harry Potter's story be for now, there's still plenty for Harry Potter fans to look forward to. In an effort to keep it all straight, we've put together this handy guide of what's out and what's coming up for Harry Potter fans.


Upcoming Harry Potter-Related Books


When Harry Potter and the Cursed Child made its official premiere in London's West End, J.K. Rowling said she that "Harry is done now," following the character's reappearance in Cursed Child. While she may be ready to put Harry's story to rest, it's unlikely that she has any intention of abandoning the universe entirely. Her involvement in the Fantastic Beasts spinoff and the sequels that are lined up for the years to come are evidence of that.


In the meantime, new versions of the original Harry Potter books do occasionally find their way onto shelves...


Harry Potter and the Chamber Of Secrets House Edition


In anticipation of the 20th anniversary of the publishing of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Pottermore announced that a House Edition of the second book in the Harry Potter series will be hitting shelves Summer 2018. As you may recall, a similar edition was released to celebrate Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone's anniversary. Those sorted Harry Potter fans can celebrate their house pride by picking up one of the four House Editions of Chamber of Secrets, each with a colored cover matching the house colors for Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin. It hits shelves July 2, but you can pre-order it at Bloomsbury now.


Unlike the Philosopher Stone's editions, which included the house crests on each cover, it looks like Chamber of Secret's House Edition will feature the same snaky illustration on its cover, likely a nod to the titular chamber (#SlytherinPride?), with a variation on the frame around the snake illustration to match the respective house. In addition to the colorful cover makeover, Pottermore says the new edition will also include an illustration of your chosen house's common room by artist Levi Pinfold as well as a written introduction to that house. We'll also get a mini-feature on house-elves. if you recall, Chamber of Secrets introduced the being to the series in the form of non other than Harry Potter enthusiast himself, Dobby.





Harry Potter and the Goblet Of Fire Illustrated Edition


The illustrated edition for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire has not yet been officially announced, however, assuming Bloomsbury continues to release one a year, as they have so far with the first three books, we expect to see Book 4 arrive in all its illustrated glory in or around October 2018. We'll be sure to update once we have confirmation and details on pre-ordering.


Upcoming Harry Potter Movies


Fantastic Beasts was originally discussed as a planned trilogy, but then in November 2016, J.K. Rowling announced that the story would be spread out over five films. Producer David Heyman confirmed to us that they're aiming to release one film for the series every two years.





Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them 2


Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them 2 -- titled Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald -- is slated to arrive in theaters November 16, 2018. From what we know about the film, the sequel will take Newt Scamander back to the United Kingdom, as well as to Paris, France. (More spoilery information related to the first film ahead!) Newt, Tina, Queenie and Jacob are expected to return, though an official cast list has not been revealed. We're also expecting to see a comeback for Ezra Miller's character Credence. Depp's Grindelwald will obviously make an appearance, and we also know we'll be seeing a relatively young Albus Dumbledore, with Jude Law set to fill the eventual headmaster's shoes. Get more info about the movie here.


Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: The Stage Production


The West End stage production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is currently showing at the Palace Theatre in London, though tickets are typically hard to come by and should be bought ahead of time, unless you want to try your luck at the lottery.


It was announced in 2017 that Harry Potter and the Cursed Child will be making its way to Australia at Melbourne's Princess Theatre in early 2019. And Wizards, witches and no-majes stateside who aren't able to get to London to see the show will only have to go as far as New York to catch the production when it arrives on Broadway in 2018...


Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in New York City


Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is expected to open at the newly-renovated Lyric Theatre on April 22, 2018. The Broadway theater is being completely redesigned for the production. The original trio of stars -- Jamie Parker (Harry Potter), Noma Dumezweni (Hermione Granger), and Paul Thornley (Ron Weasley) -- will reprise their roles for the show.


In October 2017, registration opened for tickets for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child's Broadway production. Fans are required to register over the five-day window, for a chance to receive an access code to purchase tickets on October 18, 2017.





Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Movie?


J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros have made it pretty clear that there are presently no plans for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child to be made into a movie. And taking into account that tickets for the West End production are sold out through 2017, it seems unlikely that there would be plans to rush this story into cinemas anytime soon.


In early 2017, a rumor began circulating that there was a plan to make a Harry Potter and the Cursed Child movie years from now, when the original Harry Potter stars were close to the age of their respective characters in the 19-years-later setting of the play. Though the rumor seemed viable, given that it put plenty of distance between now and when this potential trilogy would take place, J.K. Rowling promptly shut down speculation on the idea, stating that it is "NO TRUTH" to the rumor. So that's that. (Again.)


It may also be fair to speculate that a Harry Potter and the Cursed Child stage production world tour would happen before a feature adaptation is made, and there hasn't been any official word of that happening anytime soon either (though Rowling did mention that if the demand is there, it'll tour). So for the time being, those who want to experience the magic that is the Cursed Child play -- and I'm almost convinced there are moments of actual magic taking place on stage because some of the special effects are pretty spectacular -- will have to get to London's Palace Theatre or New York City to see it.


Recently and Previously Released Harry Potter books





Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them - Illustrated Edition


Those of us who already own about five copies of Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them will soon have an excuse to buy one more. Hitting shelves November 7, 2017 is the fully illustrated edition of Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them. This is the (updated) text book on which the movie was loosely based, not the screenplay book. As there are quite a few beasts featured in the book that haven't made it to the screen yet, this new grab at Harry Potter fans' wallets will give us our first look at some of the magical beasts wandering the Harry Potter world. The color illustrations come from artist Olivia Lomenech Gill, and will use a variety of artistic techniques to depict the beasts. 10% of the proceeds from the suggested retail price ($34.99) of each copy sold will go to Comic Relief and J.K Rowling's Lumos Foundation. There will also apparently be a collector's edition available for a retail price of $175.00.


Get the Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them Illustrated Edition here.


The British Library did a special exhibition in the U.K. called Harry Potter: A History of Magic. With it came the release of a book called Harry Potter: A Journey Through A History of Magic. Amazon offers both a kindle edition and a paperback. While this book isn't exactly the comprehensive History of Magic tome that hardcore Harry Potter fans have been clamoring for, it's a lovely, illustrated guide filled with oodles of information about J.K. Rowling's magical universe. The book hit shelves October 20, 2017.


Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Illustrated Edition





Harry Potter and the Prisoner Of Azkaban Illustrated Edition hit shelves October 3, 2017, and features 115 illustrations from artist Jim Kay. The third book in the series is (naturally) the third book to receive the illustrated edition treatment. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone arrived on shelves on October 6, 2015. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets hit shelves October 4, 2016. So it seems Prisoner of Azkaban's release is right on schedule to Scholastic/Bloomsbury's one-a-year plan. We've previously gotten a glimpse of the illustrations for the new edition of Azkaban, including Jim Kay's excellent take on Severus Snape. Among the illustrations included in the book is an excellently creepy look at Sirius Black.


Maybe you've already got enough copies of Harry Potter to satisfying your magical cravings, but if you're looking for an excuse to buy the books again, these illustrated editions do not disappoint.


Get Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Illustrated Edition here.


Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (rerelease with new content)


The Harry Potter bonus book, Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them, was re-released in the wake of the recent (loose) film adaptation. To be clear, this is the reference guide, which was originally released in 2001 and is formatted like a Hogwarts textbook, indexing and describing the various beasts in the Harry Potter universe. It is not a novel, though the introduction does include a few (somewhat spoilery) tidbits about the books author, Newt Scamander. The new edition arrived on March 14, 2017, and includes six additional magical beasts, as well as a forward by Fantastic Beasts author Newt Scamander. The book also include illustrations by Tomislav Tomic. Get it here.


Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them Audiobook


Well, this is new. In addition to a re-release of Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them, an audiobook edition for the textbook is was released the same day the new edition of the book came out. Eddie Redmayne narrates the book. Normally, I would've hoped that Jim Dale -- narrator of the U.S. versions of the Harry Potter books -- would be back for this, but having the textbook narrated by Newt Scamander himself is far too perfect to complain. Based on Audible's page, it looks like the whole recording is about two hours long. Get it here.


Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone - Hogwarts House Editions


In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the original publication of the first Harry Potter book in the U.K, Bloomsbury -- the publishing house for the books in the United Kingdom -- re-released Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone with special house covers. So those Hufflepuffs, Gryffindors, Ravenclaws and Slytherins out there can celebrate their house pride with a special edition of the book. Expect to see the respective house crest on each cover, as well as sprayed edges in the house colors. These special editions also include fact files and character profiles, as well as line illustrations exclusive to that house. The Hogwarts House Editions hit shelves on June 1, 2017, and are available on Amazon.co.uk, as well as directly through Bloomsbury.





Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them Screenplay Book


Not to be confused with the reference guide by which the film Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them is loosely inspired, Fantastic Beast and Where To Find Them: The Original Screenplay includes the shooting script for Fantastic Beasts. Those hoping for a novel will be disappointed, but the book is actually a really great bonus to the film, as it includes some descriptions and insights to certain scenes that are really left to interpretation in the actual movie. Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them: The Original Screenplay hit shelves the day the film arrived in theaters (November 18), and can be purchased in hardcover and ebook.


Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - Illustrated edition.


In 2015, a new illustrated edition of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (or Philosopher's Stone) was released in hardcover. Last October, a hardcover version of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets hit shelves. For those who love these books enough to buy them more than once, Jim Kay's incredible illustrations are well worth the reasonable price tag. Amazon currently has Chamber of Secrets available for purchase for $23.99.


Harry Potter and the Cursed Child script book


Following the debut of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, a script book for the play was published, allowing Harry Potter fans to read both parts of the play. To be clear, this book is not a novel, however it does contain the full play, for those who aren't able to get to London to see it, or for those who want to relive the theatrical magic in script form.





Pottermore Essays and eBooks


J.K. Rowling occasionally drops new writings on Pottermore.com, and hopefully that won't cease anytime soon. Also, the Harry Potter site recently released a series of ebooks, which include essays from J.K. Rowling, some new, some previously published on Pottermore.com. Those are out now, and include:


Short Stories from Hogwarts of Power, Politics and Pesky Poltergeists


Hogwarts: An Incomplete and Unreliable Guide


Short Stories from Hogwarts of Heroism, Hardship and Dangerous Hobbies


There are currently no movies directly related to the lead characters featured in the original Harry Potter books, however, Warner Bros. has reignited Harry Potter fans' appetite for magic on the big screen with the debut of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, a film that joins the Potterverse franchise, and is launching a new series of movies.





Previously Released Movie: Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them


Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them arrived in theaters on November 18, 2016. The film is both a spinoff and a prequel to the Harry Potter stories. It centers on Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne), the wizard and magizoologist responsible for penning the titular textbook that would go on to be studied by Harry, Ron and Hermione, not to mention countless other Hogwarts students. The story is set in the 1920s, seventy years before Harry Potter attended Hogwarts. Fantastic Beasts follows Newt as he visits New York for what's supposed to be a short stay, but ends up stuck there for longer when his collection of beasts gets loose in the city. (Vague spoilers ahead!)


Magic and mayhem ensue, as do the introduction of numerous key characters, including former MACUSA auror Tina (Katherine Waterston), her legilimens sister Queenie (Alison Sudol), No-maj Jacob (Dan Fogler), MACUSA auror Percival Graves (Colin Farrell) and Credence Barebone (Ezra Miller). The film also features a crucial appearance by Gellert Grindelwald (Johnny Depp).


Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them is now available on home video, and streaming on HBO Now.





Warner Bros. has released all eight movies together in 4K Ultra HD. Check out the blu-ray box set here.


And More...


Beyond books and movies, there are other ways for Harry Potter fans to get in on the magic. Pottermore.com, the official Harry Potter website, allows fans to register to get sorted into a Hogwarts house, be assigned their wand, and be sorted into their Ilvermorny house (for those aspiring witches and wizards who want to know where they'd be sorted in the North American wizarding school). The most recent addition to Pottermore was the highly (massively, hugely) anticipated Patronus test, which allows fans to take a quiz that will determine their Patronus. J.K. Rowling mentioned on Twitter that she created that test herself, so it's about as official as it gets, short of real magic. You must be logged in to take the test.





Theme Parks


On the theme park side of things, the latest major development was the opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood. The California park gives U.S. residents and visitors a West Coast alternative to the Universal Studios Orlando location. There's also a Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios in Japan.


For those looking for an even more movies-centered experience, Warner Bros. offers a studio tour in Leavesden, which features various exhibits containing set pieces and props for the original Harry Potter movies. There's also a pretty incredible model of Hogwarts that needs to be seen.


For the gamers, Harry Potter joined the LEGO Dimensions universe. Players are now able to unlock Hogwarts, Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley among the LEGO Dimensions locations. You can also apparently build a flying Ford Anglia and Hogwarts Express, and play as Harry Potter or Lord Voldemort.





Don't see what you're looking for? Leave a comment and we'll do some digging to see what the latest news is on what's ahead for Harry Potter fans.

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