Fantastic Beasts filming in Liverpool
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, the latest big screen venture from J.K. Rowling, is heading to shoot in Liverpool city centre, the only non-studio location to be used by Warner Bros. for the film.
The feature centres on Newt Scamander, played by Eddie Redmayne, the magizoologist and author of the eponymous Hogwarts text book. The film also stars Katherine Waterston, Alison Sudol, Dan Fogler, Ezra Miller, Samantha Morton, Jenn Murray, Faith Wood-Blagrove and Colin Farrell.
Harry Potter veteran David Yates directs from Rowling's screenplay, with Potter producer David Heyman working alongside Steve Kloves, Lionel Wigram, Neil Blair and Rowling.
Principal photography began in mid-August on the feature; the imminent move to Liverpool will see the city welcome over 500 cast and crew, providing a fillip to the local economy. And as with the Harry Potter films, it is highly likely that film tourism will play a big part in the future too, as fans seek out the used locations in years to come.
Liverpool Film Office manager, Lynn Saunders, said of the choice: "This was a very lengthy process in terms of securing the filming, but throughout it all, we were confident Liverpool could offer the amazing locations which would fit perfectly with Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
"We are so pleased to be able to facilitate this movie, and coming just a couple of weeks after we announced the news of a new TV and film studio coming to Liverpool - it really does go to show we are a city in demand.
"This has been a hugely busy year for us so far, and as soon as one project finishes, another one is setting up."
Assistant mayor and cabinet member responsible for the Liverpool Film Office, councillor Wendy Simon, added: "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."
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The news comes shortly after the report that Liverpool is set to get its own designated film and TV studio, with the iconic art deco Littlewoods Pools building being earmarked in a £25m development scheme. The city has certainly seen many high-profile shoots, with recent visiting productions including hefty new TV drama Houdini & Doyle and the Meryl Streep-starrer
Sebastian Faulks’ novel Engleby is set to be adapted for television by C4-backed indie Freedom Scripted, starring Noah Jupe. The BBC has ordered two more series of detective drama Shetland with the first (Series 9) filming this month. Filming gets underway today (26 February) on the Netflix sequel to 2023 feature Bank of Dave with shooting taking place largely in Burnley and Leeds. Strike, The Ink Black Heart – the sixth instalment of the detective drama - has begun filming. A new feature film, Lola and Freddie, will shoot in London locations this summer with Naomie Harris, Joel Fry, Jameela Jamil and Olivia Lee leading the cast. Ground has been broken on The Tea Factory, a new BBC production hub in the West Midlands that promises to be the BBC’s greenest building, with a new series featuring Billy Billingham to be produced in the region.
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Shetland wins double recommission
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Construction commences on BBC's West Midlands production hub as new series is greenlit
