J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros. have brokered a deal for her to pen the film version of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, a “textbook” from the Harry Potter universe, originally published in 2001.

Rowling said in a statement, “‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’ is neither a prequel nor a sequel to the Harry Potter series, but an extension of the wizarding world. The laws and customs of the hidden magical society will be familiar to anyone who has read the Harry Potter books or seen the films, but Newt’s story will start in New York, 70 years before Harry’s gets underway.”

This will be first movie of a new franchise, which will also include a video game and other products. Warner Bros. will also distribute a TV adaptation of Rowling’s novel The Casual Vacancy.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them will mark Rowling’s screenwriting debut.