Kinda cool how the timing of this news comes on the same day (total coincidence, of course) I post a review of Goblet of Fire. It appears that J.K. Rowling will write her first screenplay, set 70 years before the events in the first Harry Potter book. I must say I was hoping to see a prequel series dealing with Harry's parents, but the idea for the Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them movie sounds interesting. There is no reason for me to list the details here, as you can read them at this link.
The one odd thing is that I didn't see mention of a book. Does this mean there will be book, just the movie and some digital content (games, Pottermore)? At the least, I assume there will be a "tie-in" novel based on the screen play, but that isn't the same to me. Oh well. It does appear to be just the first in a series. I wonder if Rowling plans to write them all, or just this first one to get things kicked off correctly?
Anyway, I can't be the only one truly interested in a prequel series of BOOKS based on what happened with Valdemort and Harry's parents, am I?