'Fantastic Beasts' franchise will span five movies, says J.K. Rowling

NEW YORK, Oct. 13 (UPI) -- Wizarding World fans gathered in theaters across the globe Thursday to watch the first 10 minutes of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and hear a special announcement from its creator.

Author-turned-screenwriter J.K. Rowling revealed via satellite that the film franchise -- initially planned as a trilogy -- will now include five movies.

.@jk_rowling has just confirmed the magic continues in a total of FIVE MOVIES! We can't wait! #FantasticBeasts

— Fantastic Beasts (@FantasticBeasts) October 13, 2016

Those attending the international fan event were also treated to a four-minute featurette about the first Harry Potter prequel.

Rowling; Beasts co-stars Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Alison Sudol and Dan Fogler; director David Yates; and producer David Heyman also beamed into more than a dozen theaters via satellite from an event in London, while Colin Farrell and Jon Voight spoke from Los Angeles about the eagerly awaited project.

The fan event was live-streamed on Facebook.

Set for release Nov. 18, the film follows the adventures of magizoologist Newt Scamander, played by Redmayne. It takes place in 1920s New York.

Heyman also produced the eight Harry Potter blockbusters, based on Rowling's contemporary fantasy novels.