The beasts of J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” world may have met their match in Eddie Redmayne!
Warner Bros. announced on Monday that the Oscar-winning star of “The Theory Of Everything” has been cast as Newt Scamander in “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” a spinoff of the “Harry Potter” franchise.
The character is “the Wizarding World’s preeminent magizoologist” and travels the world searching for magical creatures and then goes on to write a book that Harry, Ron, Hermoine and the rest of the students at Hogwarts read.
PHOTOS: ‘Harry Potter’ Stars: Then & Now
The movie is set 70 years before the events of “Harry Potter.”
“Eddie is a fearless actor, brimming with invention, wit and humanity,” the film’s director, Daivd Yates, said in a statement. “I couldn’t be more excited about the prospect of working with him as we start this new adventure in J.K. Rowling’s wonderful world, and I know she feels the same way.”
Rowling herself is penning the screenplay in what is being set up as trilogy.
WATCH: Would Daniel Radcliffe Ever Reprise His ‘Harry Potter’ Role?
“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” is slated to debut in theaters on November 18, 2016.
— Jesse Spero
Copyright © 2024 by NBC Universal, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be republished, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.