‘Fantastic Beasts’: How Scandal and Controversy Have Derailed the Wizarding Franchise
variety.comRebecca Rubin Film and Media ReporterA day prior to the glitzy world premiere of “Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore,” Ezra Miller, who has a key role in the upcoming “Harry Potter” spinoff sequel, was arrested for disorderly conduct and harassment.In another timeline, Miller, known for striking red carpet outfits and zany interviews, would have been front and center to promote “The Secrets of Dumbledore,” which opens in North American theaters on April 15.
Instead, that incident and other eyebrow-raising events forced Warner Bros. to downplay Miller’s involvement in the film franchise.
Complicating matters is the fact that Miller also headlines next year’s DC Comics adaptation “The Flash” for Warners.It’s the latest in a long list of controversies plaguing “Fantastic Beasts.” The fantastical series was intended to wring newfound riches from author J.K Rowling’s sprawling Wizarding World after 2011’s “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” capped off a decade of generation-defining blockbusters that turned Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson into household names.
But through a combination of bad luck, casting choices gone wrong, creative shortfalls and diminishing box office returns, the prequel story — which is set decades prior to the adventures of Harry, Ron and Hermione — has become a headache for Warner Bros.
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