Fantastic Beasts: David Yates confirmed to direct as release date announced

The 1920s-set film stars Eddie Redmayne as the ever curious, creature-obsessed Newt Scamander

(Warner Bros.)

Buckle up.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is here for the long haul. With plans in place for a trilogy of movies, confirmed by J.K. Rowling herself, we've now heard news of when the second installment will drop.

The Hollywood Reporter has revealed the sequel will hit cinemas November 16, 2018; David Yates will return to direct, and Rowling has once more penned the screenplay, with the first film marking her screenwriting debut.

It's also being reported the sequel will "move deeper into an increasingly dark time for the wizarding world, where Newt and the story's other heroes have to decide their own allegiances".

The first installment of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them centres around Eddie Redmayne's young wizard Newt Scamander; who arrives in 1920s New York with a sense of adventure in his heart, and an obsession with magical beasties. However, an unfortunate incident with his case containing all his finest specimens unleashes said beasts onto an unknowing muggle population, threatening to tear the fabric of magical/non-magical society apart.

Presumably, the sequel will then detail a further fall-out between the two worlds contained within New York; perhaps focusing on a struggle against the New Salem Philanthropic Society, an extremist group fixated on exposing and killing magical persons.

The newest trailer unveiled the vast variety of creatures included in this world; from the cute, to the monstrous. The friendly, to the oh-so-very dangerous; all causing riots in the city's bustling streets. The film also stars Katherine Waterston, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, Ezra Miller, Samantha Morton, Jon Voight, Ron Perlman, Carmen Ejogo, Jenn Murray, Faith Wood-Blagrove and Colin Farrell.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them hits UK cinemas 18 November.