Fantastic Beasts 3 suspends filming due to positive coronavirus result

Fantasy movie has already been delayed numerous times during pandemic

Fantastic Beasts 3 has shut down production after a "team member" tested positive for coronavirus.

The Harry Potter spin-off, which stars Eddie Redmayne and Jude Law, had been filming at Warner Bros Studios in Leavesden, Hertfordshire.

A Warner Bros Pictures spokeswoman said: “A team member from Fantastic Beasts 3 has tested positive for Covid-19.

“The diagnosis was confirmed as a result of required and ongoing testing that all production employees receive, and the team member is currently in isolation.

“Out of an abundance of caution, Fantastic Beasts 3 paused production and will be back up in accordance with safety guidelines.”

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They did not confirm the identity of the person who tested positive.

The third film in the franchise was originally due to begin filming in March 2020 but the coronavirus pandemic prompted Warner Bros to postpone until September.

Johnny Depp later withdrew from the role of dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald after losing his high-profile libel case against The Sun over an article that labelled him a “wife beater”.

Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen was later announced as his replacement.

Coronavirus has continued to disrupt the film and TV industry. Last month, James Bond film No Time to Die was delayed for a third time because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Daniel Craig’s last outing as 007 had already been pushed back twice, and will now debut globally on 8 October 2021.

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The movie, which also stars Lea Seydoux and Rami Malek, had originally been due to premiere in April 2020.

Additional reporting by PA.