The cover for the Fantastic Beasts 2 script is full of hidden Easter eggs — and even better, it’s 100% Johnny Depp free
While the Fantastic Beasts franchise has seen J.K. Rowling officially make the leap from Harry Potter author to screenwriter, she hasn’t completely abandoned her roots. When Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald hits theaters on November 16th, fans will *also* be able to purchase the film’s official screenplay, which will apparate into bookshelves on the same day.
The cover for the published screenplay has just been released on Pottermore, and in true Harry Potter fashion, it’s full of references and potential clues from the upcoming film.
Following the events of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, which saw Gellert Grindelwald (played by *heavy sigh* Johnny Depp) escape custody, Crimes of Grindelwald finds our favorite magizoologist, Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne), teaming up with Young Hot Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law!!!) in an attempt to bring the evil wizard down.
Considering a majority of the film is said to be taking place in Paris, it’s unsurprising that the Eiffel Tower sits front and center on the cover of the published script. While the Tower seems to be flanked by intricately designed leaves, eagle-eyed — or should we say phoenix-eyed — fans may see the wings of a particularly iconic phoenix by the name of Fawkes.
Resting directly underneath the Parisian symbol is something every Harry Potter fan should be acutely familiar with: the sign of the Deathly Hallows. The final Harry Potter novel reveals that a young Dumbledore and Grindelwald were obsessed with the Deathly Hallows, and during their famous duel — which will likely take place during the finale Fantastic Beasts film — Dumbledore defeats Grindelwald and becomes master of the Elder Wand. Suffice to say the Deathly Hallows will play a significant role in the film. The intricate font of Crimes of Grindelwald also makes a subtle reference to the Hallows.
In a nod to Scamander’s profession, and the franchise’s namesake, the cover also features a few of the titular fantastic beasts, namely the Niffler and Bowtruckle, who stole our hearts during the first film.
Additionally, a lock featuring the initials “NF” appears, foreshadowing the appearance by Nicholas Flamel (Brontis Jodorowsky), Dumbledore’s Parisian alchemist friend who we all remember as the creator of the Sorcerer’s Stone. If we’re all on the same page about Flamel’s — and we certainly should be — that would make the little object right above “An Original Screenplay” the stone itself.
And finally, lurking ominously at the top of the cover is a chilling symbol that Harry Potter fans know as the Dark Mark. Sure, the Fantastic Beasts movies take place before the rise of Voldemort, but considering that the Dark Mark is cast above death and destruction, we’re certainly heeding this warning.
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald arrives in theaters and in bookstores on November 16th.
