One of the main questions about
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them being asked is: What 'fantastic beasts' will actually be featured in the first film?
Eddie Redmayne essentially admitted during EW's set report that Newt Scamander has something close to a pet Niffler (featured in the
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire book, but not movie), as well as a few others listed below. Of the seven on the list, on Merpeople were actually shown in the Harry Potter film series.
Quote:
Niffler: A treasure-hunting creature attracted to shiny things, like belt buckles and gold teeth, and a favorite of Fantastic Beasts star Eddie Redmayne. “They have this wonderful love-hate relationship,” Redmayne says of Newt and his Niffler. “He’s incredibly aggravating and wonderful at same time. He’s a complete nightmare, yet Newt gets off on his playfulness and single-mindedness.”
Quote:
Ashwinder: A pale serpent created from the embers of a magical fire if allowed to burn unchecked. You really don’t want them to lay eggs.
Quote:
Lethifold: Particularly deadly. Looks like a dark cloak that glides along the ground and then suffocates its victims in their sleep.
Quote:
Augurey: You’ve seen a phoenix before. This is the green-black Irish version, and its mournful cry signals it’s about to rain … or foretells your death. One of those.
Quote:
Bowtruckle: A hand-sized stick-like creature that’s difficult to spot and usually lives in trees (which it will violently defend). This particular one lives in Newt’s pocket.
Quote:
Crup: A wizard-bred dog with a forked tail that resembles a Jack Russell Terrier. Very loyal and will eat just about anything (so a bit like a dog then).
Quote:
Merpeople: Rowling previously put a ferocious spin on the classic underwater-dwelling humanoid sea creatures.