In a recent update from director David Yates, it has been confirmed that Warner Bros. has decided to put the Fantastic Beasts franchise on hold. The highly anticipated five-film series, which was originally planned as a trilogy, has encountered unforeseen obstacles and a decline in interest with each successive release.

Yates shared the news during an interview on the Inside Total Film podcast, stating, "With Beasts for a minute, it's all just parked. We got to the end of the third film, and we're all so proud of that movie... we just needed to sort of stop and pause, and take it easy." He revealed that the idea of a five-film franchise came as a surprise to most of the creative team, as it was unveiled by author J.K. Rowling during a press screening for the first film in 2016.

Despite this surprising revelation, Warner Bros. never corrected the statement or indicated that five films wasn't the plan. However, it is evident that the franchise took a creative turn, with the second film focusing on the storyline of the villainous wizard Grindelwald, portrayed by Johnny Depp and later replaced by Mads Mikkelsen.

The decision to put Fantastic Beasts on hold may not come as a shock to fans, considering the declining box office numbers of the second and third films in the series. While the first film grossed an impressive $811 million globally, the subsequent installments earned $648 million and $404 million respectively. Critics have suggested that the franchise faced an identity crisis, with its focus shifting from Newt Scamander and his magical creatures to a larger war between Dumbledore and Grindelwald.

In addition to creative challenges, the franchise was also plagued by controversies surrounding the casting of Johnny Depp and J.K. Rowling's controversial views on the trans community. These factors likely contributed to the declining interest and reception from audiences.

Meanwhile, Warner Bros. has announced plans to launch a Harry Potter TV series for their streaming service HBO Max. CEO David Zazlav has expressed his enthusiasm for expanding the Harry Potter universe, but notably, he has not mentioned a desire for more Fantastic Beasts projects.

It remains uncertain if and when Fantastic Beasts will return to the big screen. Yates mentioned that he has not had any in-depth conversations with Rowling, producer David Heyman, or Warner Bros., indicating a pause in the franchise's development for the time being.

As fans eagerly await any updates on the future of Fantastic Beasts, it is clear that a creative reboot may be necessary to revitalize the franchise and recapture the magic that enthralled audiences in the beginning.

Disclaimer: Warner Bros. and J.K. Rowling were unavailable for immediate comment regarding the status of the Fantastic Beasts franchise.