Eddie Redmayne, star of Fantastic Beasts 3, confirmed the film has started shooting. The film is set to star Redmayne, who will rejoin co-stars Johnny Depp, Katherine Waterston, Jude Law, and Ezra Miller. David Yates is returning to direct after helming the first two entries. J.K. Rowling helped pen the script, a natural addition to the prequel series that is based on her hit Harry Potter franchise. The film has persevered amidst several controversies involving the cast and Rowling herself, proving the power of the Harry Potter name. The first was a massive hit, reviving the Harry Potter franchise in an exciting way, but the sequel faced critical and commercial disappointment. This likely prompted the initial production delays of the third film.
Set to serve as the middle of a planned five-movie franchise, the third entry in the Fantastic Beasts saga has faced numerous delays. Initially, the production was put on hold so the script could be polished. Eventually, the film was set to start shooting in London, but the production was among the many to be delayed worldwide due to the pandemic. However, when coronavirus restrictions on filming were lifted in the UK in May, Fantastic Beasts 3 still remained on hold.
Luckily for fans, Eddie Redmayne confirmed to Cinema Blend that filming has started production as of two weeks ago in London. Like most films resuming production, Warner Bros. has the cast and crew under strict coronavirus protocols, something Redmayne was initially worried about:
"It’s a whole new normal. Testing frequently, masks. And I wondered, actually, whether the masks would affect creativity, in some ways. Maybe that was a bit ignorant, but I just thought, as humans, do we need interaction to spark from each other. What is really reassuring is that it is a different process, but it still feels like it’s fizzing and that everyone is working at the top of their game."
It seems as if Redmayne's fears were unfounded, as he confirms that things on set are running smoothly and his castmates are at the top of their game. Considering it's been quite awhile since the cast has been together (shooting for Crimes of Grindelwald took place in 2017), production was bound to face challenges, even before the pandemic hit.
The film is just one of many to start production in these unprecedented times. Warner Bros.' other anticipated film, The Batman, was delayed after resuming production when star Robert Pattinson tested positive for the virus. Despite these hiccups, though, Redmayne's assurances should assuage some fears that filming in the midst of a pandemic would be difficult - if a production as huge as Fantastic Beasts 3 can safely operate, so can many other films and tv shows. If anything, protocols seem to be working well so far, with few productions being shut down after resuming.
This should also soothe fan's worries about the future of the franchise. Considering the mystery surrounding the plot of this third entry and the disappointment with the second entry, Redmayne's confidence is a clear indicator that things are back on track. This is important, considering the massive implications of the series to the Harry Potter franchise as a whole, which is one of Warner Bros. most lucrative properties. Fans will have to wait until November 12, 2021 to see just what the Wizarding World has in store next, but the wait for Fantastic Beasts 3 just may end up being worth it.
