Yesterday, it was confirmed that the upcoming film Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them would not be the first of a new trilogy, but rather the first of a five-film series. While plenty of Harry Potter fans out there undoubtedly met this news with great optimism, there were plenty who were wary about the new prospect. After all, we’ve been burnt by Hollywood before. We have yet to experience the first film in the franchise, so is it wise to go and announce four sequels?

This news could be seen as especially troubling since Fantastic Beasts looks to be a standalone, single-film experience, despite any quotes stating otherwise. Could this be Hollywood simply trying to milk the franchise for all it’s worth, despite their being no reason for a five-film story?

Yes and no.

From a studio perspective, of course they’re going to milk another Wizarding World film franchise for all it’s worth. But first and foremost, we can’t forget that this is the brainchild of Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling herself, who is known for her insistence on quality. Following certain questions from fans, she continued to try to alleviate any doubts they may have, stating that the five-film arc is a necessary one for Fantastic Beasts.

In true J.K. Rowling form, she’s intrigued me. Not that I wasn’t going to see the movie already, but I’m dying to know what she means by the story they’re “really” telling us. Harry Potter was a story with a very predictable and clear narrative structure — one book is the equivalent of one school year, and from the get-go it seemed obvious that the story would eventually culminate in one final showdown with Lord Voldemort. That’s not to say this film series is destined to have one cohesive villain throughout, but there will be some element, theme, or message that will give the series a united feel to it.

What do you think Fantastic Beasts will have as its Lord Voldemort equivalent? Let us know your ideas down below!

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them hits theaters on November 17, 2017.

SOURCE: J.K. Rowling