Eddie Redmayne Locked For Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them

As expected, Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne (The Theory of Everything) has officially signed on to star as Newt Scamander in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Warner Bros.’ multi-film prequel to the Harry Potter series.

Greg Silverman, President of Creative Development and Worldwide Production, Warner Bros. Pictures, made the announcement yesterday in an official statement:

“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 as Newt Scamander, the central character in ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.’”

David Yates, who directed the last four Harry Potter movies, is sitting in the director’s chair on the spinoff series’ first installment and added the following:

“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, who introduced Scamander via a textbook he wrote for Hogwarts students, will make her screenwriting debut on the pic, which follows the Wizarding World’s preeminent magizoologist, who recorded the existence of various creatures in his travels. Intriguingly, the film takes place 70 years before the Harry Potter series in New York.

No other actors are yet attached, but an unconfirmed shortlist has been floating around with the names of contenders for the two female lead roles and the part of Scamander’s male rival. According to reports, Saoirse Ronan, Dakota Fanning, Lili Simmons and Alison Sudol are competing for the role of Tina, while Katherine Waterston, Elizabeth Debicki and Kate Upton are in the running to play her older sister, Queenie. Meanwhile, the part of Jacob, Scamander’s rival, could go to Steve Zissis, Zack Pearlman or Dan Fogler.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them hits 3D and IMAX theaters on November 18, 2016.