Why was Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald set in Paris?

J.K. Rowling has the opportunity to set her Harry Potter prequel movies anywhere in the world. Why was Paris the chosen location for the bulk of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald?

When Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them came out, it was clear that the Harry Potter prequel movies were going to focus on other witches and wizards from around the world. We would get to see how other countries manage the blend of magic and mundane life. But with so many countries available, why was France (and more specifically Paris) the chosen location for Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald?

It would seem like the best reasoning behind it is the time period. This is the buildup to the Second World War in the muggle world. In the magical world, it’s the buildup to that First Wizarding War, which would see Dumbledore and Grindelwald eventually go head-to-head. It’s the story that we heard snippets of throughout Harry Potter, but never learned the full truth.

France was an important country in the Second World War. Because of that, the location seems natural, but there’s more to the location choice than that.

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Rowling shared that she has lived in the country and felt a connection to it. There’s a saying “write what you know,” and she knew Paris and the feelings she got from there. But there’s even more to this location.

In Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, we got this very strict and closed-off world. No-Majs aren’t allowed to learn about magic, and they aren’t allowed to date a witch or wizard. And there were strict rules on the use of magic and on the magical creatures Newt had collected and brought to the country.

Rowling wanted something more fluid and free this time. She wanted to show another side to the magical/muggle world, in a way that the two could almost blend together. This could hint at why Jacob is following Newt — does he and Queenie choose to be in Paris where they’re accepted as a couple?

That’s getting off point! Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald could only be set in Paris. Because in the 1920s, Paris was a fluid, welcoming, and romantic place. So it makes sense to have a more fluid magical world in this city.

Why did you think Paris was the chosen location for Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald? Are you excited to see how the magical and mundane worlds connect? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald is out in theaters on Nov. 16, 2018.