So... not so long ago, nine posters for Fantastic Beasts have been revealed. Let's put them under the microscope!
First one: Newt Scamander, the Magizoologist.
All I can see is the inside of his TARDIS-like suitcase, with books, drawers, and a picture of a Niffler which is adorable and I want one! There is also a Bowtruckle chillin' on Newt's jacket.
Up next, future Mrs. Scamander - Porpentina Goldstein, the MACUSA Auror.
We get a closer look at the MACUSA Clock of Danger, and what looks like Tina's ID on the right. I'm not sure what the numbers in the upper right mean.
NEXT! The Flash... I mean, Credence Barebone, the Second Salemer.
Now, we know that Credence is supposed to be a "notable" character within the Harry Potter universe. I have a theory on that, along with our next guy, which I'll save for last.
Then, we have Percival Graves, the Director of Magical Security.
Now, about President Piggles' right-hand minion... anything catches your eye? That, by itself, was a hint. Also, remember the background of Graves's poster, 'cause we're gonna be back here.
Up next, it's Tina's sister - Queenie Goldstein, the Legilimens.
Queenie was stated to be a very proficient Legilimens, with the ability to not only see in one's memories, but also share empathic connection... which I assume would make her a sorta Wizarding Cold Reader/Lie Detector. I also think that the locket on the mannequin in the background is not random.
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Seraphina Picquery, the President of MACUSA
As for our friendly neighborhood dictator, I don't think she's gonna be the true villain of the trilogy. She's a bureaucrat, takes her job very seriously, and probably has the ideal model of American Wizarding Society in her mind, but isn't remotely close do Voldemort or Grindelwald.
Our next contestant is... umm... Gnarlak, the Goblin Gangster
Honestly, I don't know Gnarlak's exact role in the films. He owns a Wizarding Speakeasy, where at least one fighting scene will occur (as seen in the trailers), and my best guess is he's gonna be Newt's informant around the city. Most likely gonna end up selling them out, but that's not the topic for today.
Now someone who's probably gonna be the comic relief, but one can hope for more - Jacob Kowalski, the No-Maj.
And apparently an owner of one fine-looking bakery. Shame I can't say anything more about Jakey-boy, as his character intrigues me the most out of the main cast.
And finally, the one, the only... American Umbridge! Mary Lou Barebone, the Leader of the Second Salemers
Descendant of Bartholomew Barebone, who himself descends from a Scourer, means Mary Lou has a very diluted magic running in her blood. Also worth noting is that all of her children (Credence and his two sisters) are adopted.
Now that we have the posters done, let's take a step forward, and theorize about the film before it comes out:
We roughly know the outline of the first film. Newt Scamander visits New York, probably because of his research, but stuff happens and all the creatures he brought with him are set free and he has to chase around after them. Simple, until you remember there are two more films in the Fantastic Beasts series. It'd be too repetitive if the entire trilogy focused on capturing escaped animals, so here's my idea how's it gonna go:
Remember Percival Graves's poster? His is the only one with the Deathly Hallows necklace. Or, what's known to most wizards as the symbol of Gellert Grindelwald. But why is it in Graves's poster specifically? Well, the answer is in the final trailer! Here at 2:06 we hear Graves saying "I refuse to bow down any longer." And earlier, he pulls Credence to the side and tells him, "We've lived in the shadows for too long" [1:16]. The wall in Graves's poster also has significance; it symbolizes his breakthrough. And the fact that the wall is riddled with the Salemers' posters is an additional touch. So let me explain it now:
Percival Graves will turn out to be a traitor. Maybe by the end of the first film, when Newt and MACUSA will combat the mysterious foggy creature of darkness and destruction, it will be revealed that Graves was the one who somehow tamed the creature/made its hunting easier by sickening it onto important No-Majes, such as Shaw, and Senator Shaw, Jr.? In the end, him and Credence are gonna flee America. Why Credence you ask? Besides being the "notable" figure in the universe, I'm thinking on one more possibility:
Credence Barebone may turn out to be a wizard. He's Mary Lou's adopted son, but he wasn't specified to be a No-Maj. Perhaps Mary Lou's dormant magic senses told her to adopt Credence, because he'd be a great addition to her anti-wizard campaign? And since he's easily manipulated by Graves, both are going to escape America. Why? To join Gellert Grindelwald's army of course! In the final trailer, President Picquery first mistakes Newt's accident as an act of aggression, similar to those of Grindelwald's attacks in Europe [1:40], and is ready to go to war if necessary. That means Grindelwald is active in Europe in the 1920s! After being tired of President Pickles's rule, Graves could decide to work with someone who has more... strict approach. And Credence was supposed to be a "notable" figure in the Harry Potter universe; nobody said a "notable, positive" figure. As far as we know, he may grow to become Grindelwald's right-hand man!
So, to sum up, this is what I think is gonna go down:
First Film - capturing magical creatures in New York, Graves revealed to be the main villain, him and Credence flee to join Grindelwald.
Second Film - journey through Europe. More creatures native to the Continent, perhaps a visit to the 1920s Ministry of Magic? (We could see Minister Archer Evermonde, and Harry's great-grandfather Henry!), rallying people up against Grindelwald?
Third Film - all-out British Ministry and MACUSA vs. Grindelwald's army!
