Fantastic Beasts 3: Did JK Rowling just reveal the setting of the next sequel?

Two years ago the first Fantastic Beasts movie was set in New York City, while The Crimes of Grindelwald will mainly be set in Paris.

With three more movies in the franchise to go, it’s anyone’s guess which cities will be the focus of future sequels.

However, Rowling may have subtly revealed the setting of Fantastic Beasts 3.

Earlier this week she updated her Twitter header to feature a shot of a busy street.

One fan tweeted: “Jo, could you explain the header?”

The author replied: “It’s Rio da Janerio in the 1930s.”

Another fan replied: “OMG! Us Brazilians are freaking out right now. Are you preparing something for us?”

Rowling responded: “Let’s just say I really ought to be able to spell Rio de Janeiro properly, given how many times I’ve written/typed it in the last few months.”

So surely Rowling’s hinting at Fantastic Beasts 3 being set in 1930s Rio?

Of course, it’s possible she could be writing a separate novel or screenplay, although the most obvious candidate is the next book in her Strike series – although those stories are not set in that period.

Seeing as the five Fantastic Beasts films will span from 1926 to 1945 when Dumbledore defeated Grindelwald in a duel, and the fact that the first two films are set in 1926 and 1927, it makes sense for the third film to take place at some point in the 1930s.

No doubt in the next few weeks an official reveal will be made by cast members or director David Yates. Meanwhile, the first reactions to Fantastic Beasts 2 have been overwhelmingly positive.

Johnny Depp, who only cameoed in the first film as the villainous Gellert Grindelwald, has a much more prominent role in the sequel.

Critics have praised his “outstanding performance”, with one calling it “perfection”.

Meanwhile, the visuals and action throughout the film have received high praise, with a number of fans retweeted by Rowling saying The Crimes of Grindelwald was better than Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them.

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald will be released in UK cinemas on November 16, 2018.