FANTASTIC QUESTIONS , ANSWERED

QWhat beasts are we talking about, and why are they so fantastic?

A They’re magical creatures as examined in magizoology, a field of study in the Harry Potter cannon. You know, your standard Glumbumbles (melancholy-inducing insects), Kneazles (smart catlike creatures), Runespoors (three-headed snakes) and Mokes (shrinking lizards).

Q Didn’t we already find these beasts in a book of their own?

A Yup. It was published in 2001 and positioned as an actual textbook from Harry Potter’s library. The author is listed as Newt Scamander, a famed magizoologist, but of course J.K. Rowling is the real mastermind. The new version of Beasts that’s being published is a copy of the film’s screenplay, which Rowling wrote.

Q Will we see a young Dumbledore?

A Eventually. The Hogwarts headmaster pops up in the second Fantastic Beasts film, and dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald also appears in the series. Beasts is kind of a Harry Potter prequel set 90 years ago in New York. Some characters are familiar, but it’s all about Newt, Jacob Kowalski and sisters Porpentina and Queenie Goldstein.

Q We’re still confused — Ms. Rowling, you have some ’splaining to do.

A Rowling has already done plenty of ’splaining. The author has published dozens of stories and essays on her Pottermore website, including a collection on how the wizarding world works, a guide to the Magical Congress of the United States of America and a history of magic in North America.