J.K. Rowling debuts as screenwriter in 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them'

MANILA, Philippines – The much-anticipated new film, written by wizarding world creator J.K. Rowling and being directed by David Yates, starts production in England

The principal photography of the feature film “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” has started. The new adventure is set in the wizarding world created by J.K. Rowling in her best-selling Harry Potter books, which were adapted into the highest-grossing film franchise of all time.

Filming started August 17 (American time), at Warner Bros. Studios, Leavesden, under the direction of David Yates, who helmed the last four “Harry Potter” feature films.

Academy Award winner Eddie Redmayne stars as Newt Scamander, the wizarding world’s preeminent magizoologist, who stops in New York following his travels to find and document magical creatures.

“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” also stars Katherine Waterston as Tina, Alison Sudol as Tina’s sister Queenie, Tony Award winner Dan Fogler as Jacob, Ezra Miller as Credence, two-time Oscar nominee Samantha Morton as Mary Lou, Jenn Murray as Chastity, young newcomer Faith Wood-Blagrove as Modesty, and Colin Farrell as Graves.

Marking the screenwriting debut of J.K. Rowling, the script was inspired by her character Newt Scamander’s Hogwarts textbook, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

The film is being produced by David Heyman, producer of all eight of the blockbuster “Harry Potter” features; J.K. Rowling; Steve Kloves; and Lionel Wigram. Collaborating with Yates behind the scenes are Oscar-winning director of photography Philippe Rousselot, three-time Oscar-winning production designer Stuart Craig, three-time Oscar-winning costume designer Colleen Atwood, Oscar-winning visual effects supervisor Tim Burke, Oscar-nominated visual effects supervisor Christian Manz, and Yates’ longtime editor Mark Day.

Warner Bros. Pictures has slated “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” for worldwide release in 3D and IMAX on November 18, 2016.