Eddie Redmayne Eyed For Lead In Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them

2015 has been very kind to Eddie Redmayne. First, the rising British actor snagged an Oscar for his portrayal of Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything. Now, it’s been announced that he’s being eyed for the lead role of Newt Scamander in Harry Potter spinoff Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them.

Set to be directed by David Yates, the film will take place in New York City circa 1920 (which is nearly seventy years before the events of Harry Potter) and follows Newton Scamander, a “magizoologist whose writings on magical creatures would go on to become required reading for Hogwarts students.”

Though Redmayne hasn’t signed the dotted line just yet, Warner Bros. have already set Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them for a November 18th, 2016 release date, meaning that the actor will need to make a decision soon.

We’ll keep you posted once we hear more on the casting front, but for now, tell us, would you like to see Eddie Redmayne lead Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them? If not, who else would you put forth for the role of Newt Scamander? Sound off in the comments section below!