Fantastic Beasts Won’t Return for a While. Here’s Why

Fantastic Beasts is on indefinite hiatus. That’s according to Harry Potter director David Yates, who recently commented on the fate of the spinoff franchise.

Speaking on the latest episode of the Inside Total Film podcast, Yates said: "With Beasts, it's all just parked. We made those three movies, the last one through a pandemic, and it was enormous fun but it was tough…We're all so proud of [Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore] and when it went out into the world, we just needed to sort of stop and pause, and take it easy.”

That last one in particular would have definitely given Yates and co. pause for thought. Not only did it garner the lowest global box office of the trilogy (half that of 2016’s Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them), but was mired in controversy.

Grindelwald actor Johnny Depp was replaced by Mads Mikkelsen, Ezra Miller was getting headlines for his bizarre behaviour, and J.K. Rowling was facing criticism for comments made in regards to the trans community.

"I'm sure at some point, we'll be back. But yeah, I haven't spoken to Jo, I haven't spoken to [producer] David Heyman, I haven't spoken to Warner Bros; we're just taking a pause. It's quite nice. It allows me to do stuff like this."

It comes after news that the upcoming Harry Potter HBO Max series doesn't involve franchise director.