Eddie Redmayne Secures Lead in ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’

The darling English actor is reportedly going to play Newt Scamander in the Harry Potter spinoff film, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Eddie Redmayne was offered the part some time ago, but apparently wanted to read the finished script before accepting the role. The final draft was delivered and he is quite happy, says Variety.

J.K. Rowling, the author of the phenomenal original series and the in-universe textbook Fantastic Beasts, upon which the film is based, will write the screenplay. David Yates, who directed the four latest Harry Potter films, will direct.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Will Be a Trilogy

The film will reportedly be set in New York approximately 70 years before the events of the Potter films. Newt Scamander will be a young Magiczoologist who goes on to write the seminal textbook on magical creatures based on his adventures.

“Although it will be set in the worldwide community of witches and wizards where I was so happy for 17 years, ‘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,” Rowling explained.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is expected in theaters in 2016.