Movies - TV
How the Fantastic Beasts Franchise Stumbled
By KAYLEIGH DONALDSON
Though the “Fantastic Beasts” franchise was intended to span five films, “The Secrets of Dumbledore” had a measly performance of $58 million worldwide, leaving room for speculation about whether it will continue. Many believe that the creator of the Potterverse, J.K. Rowling, is to blame for its failure.
Rowling’s transphobic views have not garnered her any favor with the LGBT+ community and its allies. Along with continuing scandals by certain actors like Ezra Miller and Johnny Depp, it’s a surefire recipe for failure.
Despite the relationship between Dumbledore and Grindelwald being at the center of its story, the “Fantastic Beasts” franchise has chickened out and left it as subtext over and over. The rest of the problems with the series can be found in the hole that Rowling has dug for herself, and the films are fully representative of her worst habits as a creator — from sloppy worldbuilding to a lack of diversity — and Warner Bros. is too afraid to stop her.