“Through a combination of bad luck, casting choices gone wrong, creative shortfalls and diminishing box office returns, #FantasticBeasts has become a headache for Warner Bros.,” writes @rebeccaarubin. tinyurl.com/yc5hwz2m
“Rather than expanding the franchise’s relevance beyond Potter and his pals, #FantasticBeasts hasn’t managed to justify its existence without everyone’s favorite boy wizard.” tinyurl.com/yc5hwz2m
A day prior to the glitzy world premiere of “#FantasticBeasts: 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. tinyurl.com/yc5hwz2m
As the third movie faced delays, Johnny Depp was forced to exit the franchise after losing a libel case against the British tabloid The Sun, which published an article calling the actor a “wife beater.” tinyurl.com/yc5hwz2m
During the same period, “Harry Potter” creator J.K. Rowling went from beloved author to deeply polarizing figure due to her controversial views on sex and gender identity. tinyurl.com/yc5hwz2m
Rowling’s repeated comments against transgender women have put Warner Bros. in a precarious situation: Condemn the literary doyenne and jeopardize a billion-dollar relationship; defend her and risk alienating fans who were already on the fence. tinyurl.com/yc5hwz2m
While Rowling made a rare appearance at the London premiere of “The Secrets of Dumbledore,” she has avoided press and been near-silent on social media regarding the film’s release. tinyurl.com/yc5hwz2m
In case those entanglements weren’t taxing enough, audiences don’t really seem to like the series, causing Warner Bros. to try to retool the story and recapture the charm of the original saga. tinyurl.com/yc5hwz2m
Warner Bros.’ efforts to save the series included hiring screenwriter Steve Kloves for the third movie and relegating once-prominent characters, like Katherine Waterson’s Tina Goldstein, to the fringes in favor of spotlighting Dumbledore and Grindelwald. tinyurl.com/yc5hwz2m
Dumbledore is openly gay in the newest movie, which could damage the box office in some places, including China — where references to homosexuality were censored. tinyurl.com/yc5hwz2m
Warner Bros. made a concerted effort to rein in the budget for “Secrets of Dumbledore,” but pricey COVID protocols brought the film to a $200 million budget, not including expensive marketing costs. tinyurl.com/yc5hwz2m
At the moment, there’s no screenplay for a fourth installment, sources have confirmed. Executives at Warner Bros. are waiting to see how “The Secrets of Dumbledore” is received before giving films four and five the green light. tinyurl.com/yc5hwz2m
Gilbert Gottfried, the comedian and “Aladdin” voice actor with an iconic voice, has died after battling a long illness, his family announced Tuesday. He was 67. bit.ly/3JvhXQF
“We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved Gilbert Gottfried after a long illness. In addition to being the most iconic voice in comedy, Gilbert was a wonderful husband, brother, friend & father to his two young children," a statement says. bit.ly/3JvhXQF
"Although today is a sad day for all of us, please keep laughing as loud as possible in Gilbert’s honor,” his family wrote on Twitter. bit.ly/3JvhXQF
References to a gay relationship were edited out of “Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore” by Warner Bros. for the film’s release in China. bit.ly/3uv0T9k
Two lines were removed from the film that alluded to the romantic past between male characters Dumbledore (Jude Law) and Grindelwald (Mads Mikkelsen). “Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling revealed Dumbledore was gay in 2009. bit.ly/3uv0T9k
Warner Bros. agreed to China's request to remove the lines “because I was in love with you” and “the summer Gellert and I fell in love” from “The Secrets of Dumbledore” release in China. The rest of the film remained intact. bit.ly/3uv0T9k
Spirit Halloween is going from the strip mall to the big screen—it's getting the Hollywood treatment in a new movie starring Christopher Lloyd and Rachael Leigh Cook. 🎃 bit.ly/3KxWFTY
“When a new Spirit Halloween store appears in a deserted strip mall, three middle-school friends who think they’ve outgrown trick-or-treating make a dare to spend the night locked inside the store Halloween night,” reads the logline. bit.ly/3KxWFTY
“But they soon find out that the store is haunted by an angry evil spirit who has possessed the creepy animatronic characters. The kids embark on a thrilling and spooky adventure in order to survive the night and avoid becoming possessed themselves.” bit.ly/3KxWFTY
The “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” series at Disney Plus has cast Walker Scobell in the lead role. bit.ly/3rgXYPF
Based on Rick Riordan’s book series, the live-action show follows 12-year-old modern demigod Percy, who is accused of stealing Zeus’ master lightning bolt. bit.ly/3rgXYPF
Scobell made his film debut in the Netflix film “The Adam Project,” starring opposite Ryan Reynolds, Mark Ruffalo, Zoe Saldaña, Jennifer Garner and Catherine Keener. bit.ly/3rgXYPF
Will Smith released a statement announcing his resignation from the Academy: “I am resigning from membership in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and will accept any further consequences the Board deems appropriate.” bit.ly/3qWnKbI
His statement reads: “I have directly responded to the Academy’s disciplinary hearing notice, and I will fully accept any and all consequences for my conduct.” bit.ly/3qWnKbI
“My actions at the 94th Academy Awards presentation were shocking, painful, and inexcusable. The list of those I have hurt is long & includes Chris, his family, many of my dear friends and loved ones, all those in attendance, and global audiences at home.” bit.ly/3qWnKbI