David Yates Comments on Directing All Five Fantastic Beasts Movies

Will David Yates direct all five Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them movies? That's the talk this weekend, as Yates spoke to Collider about his commitment to the series in an interview.

He said he'd like to make all five, but acknowledged that's a "massive undertaking." He was clear that he could step away and let another director make future installments.

"You know, it's lovely being part of it and I love doing it. How long will I stay with it? I'd like to say I want to stay with it for the whole thing," he said. "The only thing that makes my knees wobble a little bit is just the sheer volume. Five movies over eight years is a massive undertaking, so I have to be careful that I'm able to give everything."

"If there's any point in that period where I go, 'You know what, it might be wise to step away for a bit,' I would, to give someone else a shot," he added.

Yates directed the final four Harry Potter films. He said he became somewhat territorial.

"On Potter, once I'd done one, I enjoyed it so much I felt I had to do another one," he said. "Then to finish it, I couldn't let anyone finish it. I had to finish it. I was territorial. With [Fantastic Beasts], especially as I've started it, I sort of… I don't know … I feel committed to it."

Adding on to this, multiple sources told Entertainment Weekly that Yates is only signed up to direct the Fantastic Beasts sequel and not--at least as of yet--the further three sequels.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Yates said he is committed to the franchise, but acknowledged that he's taking things one movie at a time. "I only look at it movie-to-movie," he said.

Earlier this year, JK Rowling confirmed that there would be no fewer than five movies in the fantastic Beasts series. It was recently reported that the second film will be set in Paris and Johnny Depp will appear in the film as Grindelwald.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them hits theaters on November 18 and stars Eddie Redmayne, in addition to Colin Farrell (In Bruges), Katherine Waterston (Steve Jobs), Zoe Kravitz (Mad Max: Fury Road), Ron Perlman (Hellboy), and Ezra Miller (Justice League). While it is set to make a lot at the box office in its debut weekend, it will still make less than any Harry Potter movie, according to projections.