Eddie Redmayne Officially Joins ‘Fantastic Beasts’ as Newt Scamander

Eddie Redmayne has officially joined the cast of the upcoming film adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

The rumors have been swirling around since early May, but now it’s official…Redmayne will bring the character Newt Scamander to life on the big screen.

“Eddie Redmayne has emerged as one of today’s most extraordinarily talented and acclaimed actors,” said Warner Bros. President of Creative Development and Worldwide Production, Greg Silverman, in a statement. “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.”

Although a spin-off from the hugely 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.

Rumors about what actresses will star opposite Redmayne have been popping up recently. In addition to Ronan and Fanning, Lili Simmons and Alison Sudol are also up for the role of Tina, the supposed love interest for Eddie Redmayne’s Newt Scamander, while Kate Upton, Katherine Waterston and Elizabeth Debicki are being eyed to play Tina’s older sister, Queenie.

David Yates, who helmed the final four Harry Potter movies, is set to direct Fantastic Beasts, which begins production in London this summer.

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

Are you happy with Eddie’s casting? What are your hopes for the film? Let us know in the comments below!

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