Digital Spy – September 20

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Exclusive: Matthew Lewis on JK Rowling, Fantastic Beasts: “It’s a vivid universe”

Matthew Lewis has said that JK Rowling’s Harry Potter-inspired film, Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them, will be an opportunity to explore “outside of the linear story” of the original series.

Lewis, who played Neville Longbottom in all eight installments of the film series, admitted that he doesn’t know a lot about the upcoming movie but said there is “definitely a market” for it.

Speaking to Digital Spy, the 24-year-old said: “It’s a vivid universe that she [Rowling] created. There’s certainly more to explore now.

“When I was a kid reading the books there was so much more that I wanted to know outside of the linear story.

“I wanted to know about stuff that happened around the world and we’re going to find that out through this picture that she’s making. Anything that will show off that world a little more is great.”

Lewis added that he is happy that Rowling is retaining ownership of the film by writing it herself.

“If that wasn’t the case there’d be alarm bells ringing with a lot of people, but the fact that she’s in total control of it means that I think it’s going to be good,” he said.

The idea of Fantastic Beasts has generally been well received by fans of the franchise, while co-star Daniel Radcliffe said they’ll have a “great time” filming it”.