Jessica Williams Joins ‘Fantastic Beasts’ Sequel; Nicolas Flamel And More Are Cast
Joining the hunt forFantastic Beasts and Where to Find Themis formerDaily ShowcorrespondentJessica Williams, as well as a bevy of other new and familiar characters fromHarry Potterlore. One of those familiar characters: the renowned Nicolas Flamel, whose Philosopher/Sorcerer’s Stone formed the basis for the firstHarry Potterbook and movie. Now we’ll get to see him as a young and strapping wizard, and hopefully better for the wear thanJohnny Depp’s evil Grindelwald, whose terrorizing presence will be even bigger in theFantastic Beastssequel.
Pottermore has dropped a bunch of new information about theFantastic Beasts 2cast and characters, as well as a rudimentary synopsis of the film.
Fantastic Beasts 2 Cast Additions
Aside from one aforementioned polarizing actor,Fantastic Beastshas a pretty, well, fantastic cast. The first film starredEddieRedmayneas magizoologist Newt Scamandar,Katherine Waterstonas Tina Goldstein,Alison Sudolas Queenie Goldstein,Dan Fogleras the unlucky No-Maj Jacob Kowalski, andCarmen Ejogoas Seraphina Picquery, all of whom are set to return for the sequel. AndPottermorehas just announced several exciting new additions to the cast.
First up is rising star Jessica Williams, who leftThe Daily Showto write and star in her own Netflix movie, who is joining theFantastic Beastssequel in an unspecified role, according toEntertainment Weekly. The actress is self-proclaimed Potterhead, and took to Twitter to announce the news, for whichHarry Potterauthor J.K. Rowling congratulated her.
The second biggest news is the appearance of Nicolas Flamel, to be played by Chilean-French actorBrontis Jodorowsky. Flamel was a famous alchemist and old friend (and potential partner) of Albus Dumbledore, who we will also meet as a young wizardplayed byJude Law. As the only known maker of the life-extending Philosopher’s Stone, he was able to live to a ripe age of 690 years old — which was the age he was when he passed away after the events ofHarry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.
It’s unlikely we’ll see the Sorcerer’s Stone in play again in theFantastic Beastssequel, but Grindelwald in his search for ultimate power may attempt to seize it. He wasn’t as driven by a thirst for immortality as Harry Potter Big Bad Voldemort was though, so we will probably see Flamel in the capacity as Dumbledore’s friend and ally.
Other characters Pottermore revealed:Wolf Rothas Spielman,Victoria Yeatesas Bunty,Derek Riddellas Torquil Travers,Poppy Corby-Tuechas Roseri,Cornell S. Johnas Arnold Guzman, andFiona Glascottas a yet unnamed character. None of these characters are familiar, but Travers and Rosier are the surnames of two Death Eaters who served Voldemort in the original series.
Plot Details About Fantastic Beasts Sequel
Here’s the first official synopsis for theFantastic Beastssequel:
J.K. Rowling wrote the screenplay for the film, which opens in 1927, a few months after Newt helped to unveil and capture the infamous Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald. However, as he promised he would, Grindelwald has made a dramatic escape and has been gathering more followers to his cause—elevating wizards above all non-magical beings. The only one who might be able to stop him is the wizard he once called his dearest friend, Albus Dumbledore. But Dumbledore will need help from the wizard who had thwarted Grindelwald once before, his former student Newt Scamander. The adventure reunites Newt with Tina, Queenie and Jacob, but his mission will also test their loyalties as they face new perils in an increasingly dangerous and divided wizarding world.
Pottermore also promises “surprising nods to theHarry Potterstories that will delight fans of the books and film series,” which I will take to mean Flamel and his Sorcerer’s Stone. Either way, this sequel is shaping up to be…fabulous.
