'Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them' is an upcoming fantasy-adventure film based on J.K. Rowling's book of the same name. The author clarified that the film is neither a prequel nor a sequel to the 'Harry Potter' series although its plot is set 70 years prior.

According to BBC, Rowling explained that the upcoming film is neither a prequel nor a sequel to the 'Harry Potter' series. She said, "Although it will be set in the worldwide community of witches and wizards where I was so happy for 17 years, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is neither a prequel nor a sequel to the Harry Potter series, but an extension of the wizarding world."

Her book of the same name was first published in 2001 as a companion to the original bestselling young adult series 'Harry Potter'. It was derived from a copy of Harry's school textbook mentioned in the first novel 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone'.  The book was published under Rowling's pseudonym Newt Scamander.

Rowling also revealed that the film is set 70 years before the events of 'Harry Potter'. She said, "The laws and customs of the hidden magical society will be familiar to anyone who has read the Harry Potter books or seen the films, but Newt's story will start in New York, 70 years before Harry's gets under way."

The new film will star Oscar-winner Eddie Redmayne as the lead protagonist. According to the Huffington Post, its plot revolves around a young magizoologist's adventures in New York's community of wizards and witches. Newt is introduced as an eccentric and introverted wizard who developed an interest in magical creatures at a young age.

Joining Redmayne are Katherine Waterston, Alison Sudol and Dan Fogler. According to IGN, Waterston plays Redmayne's on-screen love interest Tina while Sudol and Fogler play his friends Queenie and Jacob. Redmayne admitted, "The assumption is Newt's front and center, but it's a quartet... So that feels like it slightly takes the [pressure] off. At least, that's what I'm telling myself."

'Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them' is an upcoming live-action adaptation of Rowling's book of the same name. It is directed by David Yates based on a screenplay by Rowling. It is scheduled to be released on November 18, 2016.