Not content with a star-studded ensemble that currently includes Katherine Waterston, Ezra Miller, Colin Farrell and Oscar-winner Eddie Redmayne as the instrumental Newt Scamander, The Hollywood Reporter has revealed that Warner Bros.’ Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is continuing to add to its impressive role call, with the latest casting nugget confirming that Hellboy and Pacific Rim star Ron Perlman has boarded the spinoff.
Cameras are already rolling on the Harry Potter offshoot in England, with franchise stalwart David Yates returning at the helm. There’s no official mention of what role Perlman will portray, though sources close to the outlet claim that he has joined the ranks to play a goblin.
News of Perlman’s addition comes mere days after THR broke word of Gemma Chan, Selma actress Carmen Ejogo and Jon Voight all being recruited for the fantastical feature, itself taking place a full 70 years before the birth of the Boy Who Lived. Instead, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them will follow Redmayne’s Scamander, an odd and brilliant wizard who specialized in the fine art of Magizoology. Largely situated in New York, it’s understood that Yates will be adapting the novel based on a script penned by J.K. Rowling herself, who helped ensure that the magical spirit of her universe was upheld throughout the course of Warner Bros.’ original, lucrative franchise.
Now, it’s almost time for the inevitable offshoot. With Warner mapping out plans for a trilogy of movies, the Fantastic Beasts property is sure to become a box office success under Yates and Rowling’s watchful eye, though whether it can reach the dizzying heights of its predecessor will ultimately be told in time.
Warner Bros. will cast the net for Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them on November 18, 2016.
