Widely rumored for quite some time now, but now official, Academy Award-winning actor Eddie Redmayne has been cast as Newt Scamander in Warner Bros. Pictures’ much-anticipated Harry Potter prequel (of sorts) Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. The announcement was made by Greg Silverman, President of Creative Development and Worldwide Production, Warner Bros. Pictures.
“Eddie Redmayne has emerged as one of today’s most extraordinarily talented and acclaimed actors,” says Silverman. “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.’”
Redmayne will play Newt Scamander, a famed magizoologist and author of the Hogwarts School textbook Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Scamander developed an interest in magical creatures early in life, influenced by hismother’s breeding of hippogriffs. After attending, and graduating from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Scamander joined the Ministry of Magic. After spending two years in the Office for House-Elf Relocation, Scamander joined theBeast Division and put his knowledge of magical beasts to good use. In 1918, Scamander was commissioned by Augustus Worme of Obscurus Books to writeFantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. The book became a best seller, making Scamander a respected expert in the field of Magizoology.
J.K. Rowling is making her screenwriting debut on the film and David Yates, who directed the last four Harry Potter films, is directing. The film is being produced by David Heyman, producer of all eight of the Harry Potter films, along with J.K. Rowling, Steve Kloves, who scripted all but one of the Harry Potter films, and Lionel Wigram, who served as an executive producer on the last four installments of the franchise.
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them opens in theaters in 3D and IMAX on November 18, 2016.
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