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Hollywood heads to Liverpool

LIVERPOOL is rolling out the red carpet with the announcement that once again another major feature film is to be shot in the City. 'Fantastic Beasts' and 'Where to Find Them' is the latest creation written by J.K .Rowling, an all new adventure set in the wizarding world of her best selling Harry Potter books, which were adapted into the highest grossing film franchise of all time.  Liverpool is the only non studio location that Warner Bros. Pictures is using for the film, with shooting starting soon at key City Centre locations.

Academy Award winner Eddie Redmayne (The Theory of Everything) stars as Newt Scamander, the wizarding world's preeminent magizoologist. He stops in New York following his journeys to find and document magical creatures for what will eventually become the Hogwarts textbook Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

Other main cast members include Katherine Waterson (Inherent Vice), Alison Sudol (Transparent), Tony Award winner Dan Fogler (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), Ezra Miller (Trainwreck), Golden Globe Award winner Samantha Morton (Minority Report, Sweet and Lowdown), Jenn Murray (Brooklyn), newcomer Faith Wood-Blagrove, and Colin Farrell (True Detective).

The film is directed by David Yates who took the helm of the last 4 Harry Potter films, and produced by David Heyman, producer of all eight of the blockbuster Harry Potter films; wizarding world creator J.K. Rowling; Steve Kloves; and Lionel Wigram, executive producer of the final four films. It will be released worldwide in 3D and IMAX on 18 November 2016.

As many as 530 cast and crew will make the City their temporary home, giving a boost to the local economy.

Assistant Mayor and Cabinet Member responsible for the Liverpool Film Office, Councillor Wendy Simon, said:- "We are absolutely delighted that this huge production is taking place in Liverpool.  We were one of many locations the production team were looking at, and for us to come out on top is a testament to the expertise, experience and enthusiasm of our Film Office, packaged with the stunning venues we have to offer. We are no stranger to big movies being filmed on the City streets, but without a doubt, J.K Rowling's new adventure will cause a real buzz and re-emphasises Liverpool's reputation as one of the most filmed cities outside of London.  I'm sure we'll give the cast and crew the usual warm Liverpool welcome and give them an unforgettable experience during their time here."

Producer David Heyman said:- "We are thrilled to be bringing Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them to Liverpool, a City which has such fond memories for me. My mother is from Liverpool and, as a child, we would often visit family there. The architecture in this beautiful City works perfectly for our film, set in 1920s New York, and I know we will receive a very warm welcome."

Also collaborating with Yates behind the scenes are: Oscar-winning director of photography Philippe Rousselot (A River Runs Through It, the Sherlock Holmes movies), 3 time Oscar winning production designer Stuart Craig (The English Patient, Dangerous Liaisons, Gandhi, the Harry Potter films), three-time Oscar-winning costume designer Colleen Atwood (Chicago, Memoirs of a Geisha, Alice in Wonderland), Oscar-winning visual effects supervisor Tim Burke (Gladiator, the Harry Potter films), Oscar-nominated visual effects supervisor Christian Manz (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1), and Yates' long time editor Mark Day (the last four Harry Potter films).

Liverpool Film Office Manager, Lynn Sunders, said:- "This was a very lengthy process in terms of securing the filming, but throughout it all, we were confident Liverpool could offer the amazing locations which would fit perfectly with Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. We are so pleased to be able to facilitate this movie, and coming just a couple of weeks after we announced the news of a new TV and Film studio coming to Liverpool; it really does go to show we are a City in demand. This has been a hugely busy year for us so far, and as soon as one project finishes, another one is setting up.  We're seeing a real trend in productions returning to the City time and time again, and increasing the length of their stay each time as they have really positive experiences when working here. The Director, David Yates is an example of this, having filmed Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows and his debut feature 'The Tichborne Claimant' in Liverpool previously; we're delighted to welcome him and the team back."

Some blockbusting films that have shot, on location, in and around Liverpool include:-

►  51st State.
►  Captain America - The First Avenger.
►  Sherlock Holmes.
►  Millions.
►  Alfie.
►  Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1.
►  Fast and Furious 6.
►  Jack Ryan - Shadow Recruit.
►  Nowhere Boy.
►  In the Name of the Father.