The first look at Fantastic Beasts was released today and with it, more questions have arisen than answers.

Besides Newt’s interesting costume, and lighting, the most interesting part of the picture lies at Newt’s feet. The symbol for the Magical Congress of the United States lies below him, bringing up a million questions.

Is the Magical Congress based in New York City, Washington, DC, or a third city altogether? Is the symbol for the Magical Congress a cauldron? And if so, why? Does the United States have a richer history in potions-making than the British Wizarding World?

An existing Magical Congress implies that the magical governments of a community mimic the muggle governments. In that case, it would follow that the American magical community includes a president, a bicameral legislature, and perhaps even a Supreme Court.

After J.K. Rowling only minimally addressed the connection between the British Ministry of Magic and the U.K.’s government, will we see a greater exploration at the connection between the U.S. Magical Congress and the United States government?

The governments’ integration, or lack thereof, would be an interesting topic to explore, which I am hoping that Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them will include. In particular, it would be great to see the Magical Congress deadlocked on a bill, and the political factions that divide them. Much like the difference between the U.K. and the U.S. in terms of class and lordship, issues of blood status should be far less pronounced in the U.S., as an immigrant nation.

However, since the story will take place in the early 1900s, will there be a greater emphasis on racial or magical blood status issues? Will there be a post-war rebuilding phase or boom? Is Woodrow Wilson secretly a wizard in Rowling’s world? Finally, will Fantastic Beasts explore Native American magic or will the American magical community treat them or other ethnic minorities better than their muggle counterparts?

Fantastic Beasts can go in any of these directions, if only they take the focus off the beasts for a bit and focus on the humans. Fantastic Beasts has a great opportunity to flesh out the American Wizarding World, and I hope the movie takes that opportunity and runs with it.

What are your thoughts and questions? Tweet me @moff.