In a recent interview with Total Film magazine, director David Yates disclosed that the "Fantastic Beasts" movie franchise is currently on hold. The prequel series, created by author J.K. Rowling, was originally envisioned as a five-film saga, but Yates and others involved in the project were unaware of this when they began working on the first installment.

The "Fantastic Beasts" franchise, starring Eddie Redmayne, takes place in the magical world of "Harry Potter" but is set decades before the events of the beloved book and film series. Three films have been released so far: "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" in 2016, "The Crimes of Grindelwald" in 2018, and most recently, "The Secrets of Dumbledore," which hit theaters in 2022.

However, the lackluster box office performance of the third film, grossing $407 million worldwide, led to doubts among fans about the future of the franchise. Addressing these concerns, Yates explained that the team needed to take a break and reflect after the release of "The Secrets of Dumbledore." He expressed pride in the film and emphasized the immense challenges faced while shooting amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Yates, who directed all three entries in the "Fantastic Beasts" series, revealed that Rowling's plan for five films was never formally communicated to him or the rest of the production team initially. The revelation came from Rowling herself during a press screening, catching everyone off guard. Regardless, Yates remains optimistic about the future of the franchise, stating that he is sure they will return at some point. However, he mentioned that no conversations have taken place yet with Rowling, producer David Heyman, or Warner Bros.

Currently, Yates has focused his attention on a different project, his latest directorial effort, "Pain Hustlers." Straying away from the magical world, Yates has ventured into the realm of a pharmaceutical crime drama. The film, starring Chris Evans and Emily Blunt, has already generated buzz after being acquired by Netflix in a $50 million deal. Yates expressed a desire to explore more stories grounded in the real world and tackling social issues, while still maintaining an entertaining and subversive tone.

Fans will have to wait for further updates on the future of the "Fantastic Beasts" franchise. For now, Yates is enjoying the opportunity to delve into new creative endeavors with "Pain Hustlers," which is set to stream on Netflix starting October 27.