FANTASTIC BEASTS 4: Rise of the Dark Lord (2025)

A Future Unwritten

The Fantastic Beasts franchise began with ambition: a five-film epic set to explore the rise and fall of dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald, with Newt Scamander as our unlikely hero. However, after the lukewarm reception of The Secrets of Dumbledore in 2022, Warner Bros. quietly paused development on the next chapter.

As of now, Fantastic Beasts 4 has not been officially announced, and no production is underway. Still, the title "Rise of the Dark Lord" continues to circulate online among fans eager to see how the saga concludes—especially the long-awaited duel between Dumbledore and Grindelwald.

What the Story Might Be

If Rise of the Dark Lord were made, it would likely pick up in the 1930s, deep in the shadow of looming war—both in the Wizarding World and the Muggle one. The film could explore:

• The breaking of the blood pact between Dumbledore and Grindelwald.

• Credence Barebone’s final fate, as his true identity remains unresolved.

• The shift from political intrigue to global magical warfare, tying directly to the events that eventually lead into Harry Potter.

• The introduction of a young Tom Riddle, as whispers of another dark future begin.

Why It May Never Happen

There are many reasons why Fantastic Beasts 4 is in limbo:

• The Secrets of Dumbledore underperformed at the box office.

• Franchise fatigue and off-screen controversies weakened interest.

• Warner Bros. is currently focusing its efforts on the new Harry Potter TV reboot series.

• Director David Yates confirmed the series is "parked" for now, with no script in development.

Still, Hope Remains...

Though Fantastic Beasts 4: Rise of the Dark Lord is not currently happening, the Wizarding World isn’t over. The HBO Max Harry Potter series is in early development, offering new opportunities to revisit old characters and unfinished arcs—perhaps even giving Fantastic Beasts a second life in some form.

For now, the fate of Newt, Tina, Dumbledore, and Grindelwald remains unwritten… but never forgotten.