From a romantic revolutionist to a genius beating all the odds, Eddie Redmayne is set to become Newt Scamander in the Harry Potter spinoff trilogy Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them…
70-years before Harry Potter’s discovery of witchcraft and wizardry, Newt Scamander is a wizard specialising in zoology who encounters and discovers magical beasts on his travels. Eventually he pens the textbook, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, featured in the main series.
President of Creative Development and Worldwide Production at Warners Bros., Greg Silverman, is confident with the casting choice for Scamander: “Eddie Redmayne has emerged as one of today’s most extraordinarily talented and acclaimed actors. We are thrilled to welcome him into J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World, where we know he will deliver a remarkable performance.”
David Yates, director of the last four Harry Potter films and the spin-off, also voiced his praise: “Eddie is a fearless actor, brimming with invention, wit and humanity. 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 has joined the project as screenwriter (her screenwriting debut) and most of the Harry Potter crew are set to return. No more word on the casting yet. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is scheduled to release on November 18, 2016.