Harry Potter Prequel Filmed In Liverpool

A part of a prequel to the Harry Potter movies is being filmed at St George's Hall.

Published 12th Oct 2015

A part of a prequel to the Harry Potter movies is being filmed at St George's Hall.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is the latest creation written by J.K .Rowling,

Liverpool is the only non-studio location that Warner Bros. Pictures is using for the film, with shooting starting soon at key city centre locations.

Academy Award winner Eddie Redmayne (The Theory of Everything) stars as Newt Scamander, the wizarding world’s preeminent magizoologist. He stops in New York following his journeys to find and document magical creatures for what will eventually become the Hogwarts textbook Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

Other main cast members include Katherine Waterson (Inherent Vice), Alison Sudol (Transparent), Tony Award winner Dan Fogler (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), Ezra Miller (Trainwreck), Golden Globe Award winner Samantha Morton (Minority Report, Sweet and Lowdown), Jenn Murray (Brooklyn), newcomer Faith Wood-Blagrove, and Colin Farrell (True Detective).

The film is directed by David Yates who took the helm of the last four Harry Potter films, and produced by David Heyman, producer of all eight of the blockbuster Harry Potter films; wizarding world creator J.K. Rowling; Steve Kloves; and Lionel Wigram, executive producer of the final four films.

It will be released worldwide on 18 November 2016.

As many as 530 cast and crew will make the city their temporary home, giving a boost to the local economy.

Assistant Mayor and Cabinet Member responsible for the Liverpool Film Office, Councillor Wendy Simon, said: “We are absolutely delighted that this huge production is taking place in Liverpool.

“We were one of many locations the production team were looking at, and for us to come out on top is a testament to the expertise, experience and enthusiasm of our Film Office, packaged with the stunning venues we have to offer.

“We are no stranger to big movies being filmed on the city streets, but without a doubt, J.K Rowling’s new adventure will cause a real buzz and re-emphasises Liverpool’s reputation as one of the most filmed cities outside of London.

“I’m sure we’ll give the cast and crew the usual warm Liverpool welcome and give them an unforgettable experience during their time here.”

Producer David Heyman said: ““We are thrilled to be bringing Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them to Liverpool, a city which has such fond memories for me.

“My mother is from Liverpool and, as a child, we would often visit family there. The architecture in this beautiful city works perfectly for our film, set in 1920s New York, and I know we will receive a very warm welcome.”