Harry Potter franchise to make a comeback with trilogy of spinoff films

Author J.K. Rowling has confirmed that "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them", a spinoff of her "Harry Potter" series, will be brought to the big screen via a trilogy.

Warner Bros. had already set the first installment of Beasts, which centers on Hogwarts textbook author Newt Scamander, for release Nov. 18, 2016. Now, it has been revealed that two follow-up films will bow in 2018 and 2020—and there may be more coming. CEO Kevin Tsujihara said that Fantastic Beasts will be “at least a trilogy.”

Rowling, 49, has said that the project will be "neither a prequel nor a sequel to the 'Harry Potter' series, but an extension of the wizarding world."

Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them will be directed by Harry Potter franchise helmer David Yates. Rowling makes her screenwriting debut and will produce with Heyman, Steve Kloves, and Lionel Wigram.