Covid-19 halts Fantastic Beasts

The production industry has faced its fair share of difficulty since the start of the pandemic, having to adhere to difficult restrictions to protect all cast and crew. Some films have stopped production simply because the desired result cannot be achieved in line with the current requirements to protect health and safety.

The latest production affected to hit the headlines is Fantastic Beasts 3 which has been filming in Leavesden, Hertfordshire. The extremely popular Harry Potter spin off has been put on hold since a member of the team has tested positive for coronavirus. All employees, cast and crew are required to undertake ongoing testing as part of the filming process and the positive result was discovered as a direct result of due diligence undertaken on set. Thankfully such strict precautions are being taken or it could have resulted in more of the crew being taken ill.

It is reported that the team member is currently in isolation but no information has been released as to who the team member is. With big names taking part in the production, including Jude Lawe and Eddie Redmayne, many are keen to find out who has received the positive result but we are unlikely to ever know. 

This isn’t the first time that filming of the Fantastic Beasts sequel has been delayed as a result of Covid-19. Production of the film was originally due to start in March 2020 but as the world-wide pandemic took hold, production was delayed until September 2020. Hopefully it will be back up and running before we know it!