Its golden goose was out of eggs. And like those films, its phantasmagorical special effects are easy on the eyes. So why doesFantastic Beastsfeel so oddly lifeless? Credit: Jaap Buitendijk Why doesnt it cast more of a spell? First, there are the performances, which aside from Redmaynes are surprisingly flat. And second, the thinness of the source material gives the whole film a slightly padded feeling. Maybe this is all necessary table-setting that will lead to bigger payoffs in chapters 2 through 5....

It looks like Newt and hisFantastic Beastsarent the only threats to the American wizarding world. There, we see newspaper headlines warning of Grindelwald attacks in Europe, a convening of the I.C.W. Theyre talking about the first time a wizard rose and threatened the world order, Rowling says. Any more than that, I really couldnt say. Rowling announcedfour more filmsin theFantastic Beastssaga, so theres plenty of room to explore Grindelwald. We dont really know whos good and whos bad until all the chips have fallen, Miller says....

The Cast and Crew of “Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them” Hannah Bagshawe and Eddie Redmayne Katherine Waterston J. K. Rowling Dan Fogler Zoe Kravitz Ezra Miller Ron Perlman Chris Hardwick Jon Voight Max Ehrich Evanna Lynch Erin Richards Maura Tierney Carmen Ejogo Faith Wood-Blagrove Veronica Dunne Tina Lifford Ingrid Nilsen Bonnie Wright Josh Cowdery Alison Sudol Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images Michael Loccisano/Getty Images Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images...

Check out what the critics are saying aboutFantastic Beasts and Where to Find Themin the review excerpts below. And like those films, its phantasmagorical special effects are easy on the eyes. So why doesFantastic Beastsfeel so oddly lifeless? Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures Why doesnt it cast more of a spell? First, there are the performances, which aside from Redmaynes are surprisingly flat. And second, the thinness of the source material gives the whole film a slightly padded feeling....

Normally when a film lands an actor of Johnny Depps caliber, the casting is considered a major score. Part of the problem is Depps appearance. On Twitter, reactions seem perfectly mixed, with some fans praising the casting and others decidedly against it. When asked why Depp was cast, executive producer David Heymantold EWs sister publication PEOPLE, Because hes iconic. Hes an iconic actor and we needed an iconic actor to play this part....

Wizarding World at Warner Bros. Studio Tour in Hollywood just got a lot moreFantastic. Click through to see more of the costumes and props that are now on display. John Sciulli/Getty Images John Sciulli/Getty Images John Sciulli/Getty Images John Sciulli/Getty Images John Sciulli/Getty Images John Sciulli/Getty Images John Sciulli/Getty Images John Sciulli/Getty Images John Sciulli/Getty Images John Sciulli/Getty Images John Sciulli/Getty Images John Sciulli/Getty Images

You know Harry Potter. You dont know much aboutFantastic Beasts(orWhere to Find Them). He almost immediately meets his new American companions: A demoted Magical Congress of the United States (a.k.a. Credit: Jaap Buitendijk Also, the American wizarding school is called Ilvermorny. He had a falling out with Dumbledore after a duel killed Dumbledores sister. There are a LOT of beasts Its not calledFantastic Beastsfor nothing. Remember the scene when Harry Potter met Buckbeak?...

Hes going to become a much more prominent part of the stories going forward, director David Yates added. Any more than that, I really couldnt say. Dumbledore plays a role, too. Credit: Jaap Buitendijk BecauseFantastic Beaststakes place in 1926, we shouldnt expect to see too many familiar faces pop up. (Sadly, Harry, Ron, and Hermione werent born yet.) But Yates revealed that you will hear a little bit about a certain wizard with half moon spectacles....

Every wizard needs a trusty wand, and Eddie Redmayne certainly didnt choose his lightly. In the audition, they said, Ed, choose a wand,' Redmayne recalled. I was like, This is a big decision! Doesnt the wand choose you? I get to [choose a wand?] You suddenly saw the 10-year-old in everyone. Eventually Redmayne got to take part in crafting Newts wand. I thought that Newt would have probably [one] made of wood....

After that stretch, he took an extended break. It just so happened his timing was perfect. Jess Cagle asked Redmayne duringThe Jess Cagle Interviewif becoming a father changed how he worked. You know, what the real answer is? The stretch before her birth was filled with nonstop work for Redmayne. He continues: I love time off. Cagle mentions that givenFantastic Beasts plan of five total movies, Iris will grow up on a fantastical set....

For far too long now, Hufflepuffs have been victimized, Redmayne says on the verge of tears. They call us boring. They call us beige. They say were the nice guys. But you know what? You know what I see in Hufflepuffs? I see fierce friendship. Not because of the glory, but for the greater good. https://www.facebook.com/ Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Themhits theaters on Friday.

They say that the wand chooses the wizard, but its another thing to actually learn how towieldthat wand. I think probably to relax, Redmayne told EWs Marc Snetiker. I would say to myself, relax a bit. I have a really big hand, I felt goofy with a wand. I made them make my wand heavier so it felt more substantial, that helped, she added.

But when the pair meet in the upcoming film, it isnt exactly love at first sight. But what I love is the relationship starts kind of Combative, Waterston chimed in. Theyre all outsiders in some ways, and yet they have really heroic qualities within them. So its kind of lovely for us to not rush that and be able to play it slow. Watch them discuss Newt and Tina in the video above, andhead herefor the full recap of PopFestsFantastic Beastspanel....