Eddie Redmayne Reportedly In Talks to Play ‘Fantastic Beasts’ Lead

Eddie Redmayne was previously rumored to be the frontrunner for the upcoming film adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter prequel Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, but now it’s being reported that the actor is in negotiations for the role.

Deadline is reporting that the star has moved from the being eyed phase into the contract negotiation phase for the highly coveted lead role of Newt Scamander. It seems that now that Rowling has made it past her first screenplay, “a formal offer has come from Warner Bros and negotiations have begun for Redmayne.”

Although a spin-off from the wildly popular Harry Potter series, the events of Fantastic Beasts actually take place about seven decades before Potter’s story even begins. The story follows the adventures of Newt Scamander and is based on the Hogwarts textbook he eventually ends up writing detailing said adventures.

Warm Bodies star Nicholas Hoult was previously eyed for the role along with Redmayne and former Doctor Who star Matt Smith had also expressed interest in starring in the film.

The first Fantastic Beasts movie is scheduled to debut November 18, 2016.

Do you feel Eddie is the right choice to portray Newt? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

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