Eddie Redmayne has reportedly been offered the role of Newt Scamander in ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’.
Last month it was reported the 33-year-old actor was in talks to feature in the ‘Harry Potter’ spinoff film, and Variety has now revealed he is set to play the lead role.
The website claims the ‘Theory of Everything’ star wanted to read a finished script before committing to the part and is now moving forward with the project after admitting he is pleased with the final story.
The movie – which is being directed by David Yates and is expected to be released in November 2016 – will be set in New York, and follows the adventures of the ‘Fantastic Beasts’ Hogwarts textbook’s author, Newt, several decades before the ‘Harry Potter’ saga.
The ‘Harry Potter’ author, J.K. Rowling – who will make her screenwriting debut with the project – previously explained although the film will be set in the same magical world, it is not a "prequel nor a sequel" to her famous series of books, which were turned into eight films from 2001 to 2011.
She said: "Although it will be set in the worldwide community of witches and wizards where I was so happy for 17 years, ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’ is neither a prequel nor a sequel to the ‘Harry Potter’ series but an extension of the wizarding world."
Eddie Redmayne for lead role in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
