Back in August, we reported that actressZoe Kravitzhad quietly joinedFantastic Beasts and Where to Find Themshortly after production began, in an unspecified role. There was speculation that the role could be expanded upon in future sequels. But that has never been confirmed until now. During a new interview,Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find ThemdirectorDavid Yates, who has already been confirmed to come back to the helm forFantastic Beasts 2, revealed thatZoe Kravitzwill return for the sequel as Leta Lestrange. There will be minor SPOILERS below if you haven’t seenFantastic Beasts and Where to Find Themyet, and also SPOILERS for the stage playHarry Potter and the Cursed Child, so read on at your own risk.
For those who are surprised thatZoe Kravitzwas even inFantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, you could have easily missed her. The actress' character Leta Lestrange was only seen briefly in a photo frame kept by her ex-lover, Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne), but it seems we’ll get to see her in the flesh in this sequel. Here’s whatFantastic Beasts 2directorDavid Yateshad to say about this character, in an interview withCinemaBlend.
“Yes. Leta Lestrange comes into the second movie. She’s quite complicated and damaged and confused, and Newt is absolutely still in love with her. So, she has a kind of power over him, and she, yeah, she’s a kind of tragic figure, so we will see a bit more of her in thesecond movie.”
In theHarry Potternovels byJ.K. Rowling, there are seven members of the Lestrange family that have been mentioned, but the most prominent is Bellatrix Lestrange, played byHelena Bonham Carterin theHarry Pottermovies. The stage playHarry Potter and the Cursed Childrevealed the surprising revelation that she actually had a love child with Voldemort, while Bellatrix’s sister Narcissa was married into the Malfoy family. The Lestrange family is also one of the “Sacred 28,” the 28 families of “true blood” wizards. It remains to be seen exactly where Lena Lestrange falls on this family tree.
Given that this series of movies has recently expanded from a trilogy tofive movies, it’s possible she could be featured in more than just the second movie, and it could also complicate another potential romance for Newt Scamander. At the end ofFantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Newt Scamander hinted at a romantic connection between himself and Tina Goldstein (Katherine Waterston). Newt even promised that he would return to New York upon completion of his book. But we already know that the sequel won’t be set in the Big Apple.
David Yatesconfirmed earlier this month thatFantastic Beasts 2will be set in Paris, with this follow-up set to expand this magical universe even further. WhileEddie Redmaynewill surely return as Newt Scamander, andJohnny Deppis also returning as Gellert Grindelwald, none of the otherFantastic Beastsstars have been confirmed forFantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them 2. Warner Bros. has set a August 03, 2025 release date for the sequel, but it has yet to be confirmed when filming will begin.
