Johnny Depp to Star in “Fantastic Beasts” Sequel

(LOS ANGELES) — Pirates of the Caribbean star Johnny Depp is joining another big-screen franchise.  He’s been tapped to star in the sequel to the upcoming Harry Potter spin-off Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, according to Variety.

ABC/Randy HolmesThere’s no word yet on what role he’ll play in the film, but he’ll also be making an appearance in Fantastic Beasts, opening November 18 and starring Eddie Redmayne as Newt Scamander. David Yates, who helmed the final four Harry Potter films, will direct.

Recently, Harry Potter author and Fantastic Beasts screenwriter J.K. Rowling revealed she’s planning five films for the franchise.  Back in August, it was announced that a second movie in the Fantastic Beasts series was already in the works, again with Redmayne as the lead.

Fantastic Beasts is set in 1926, Scamander arriving in New York as part of a global excursion to research and rescue magical creatures — including some hidden in his briefcase. Chaos strikes when some of the creatures are inadvertently let loose.

The Fantastic Beasts sequel will be released in November 2018. Shooting will begin next year. Release dates for the third, fourth and fifth films have not yet been set.

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