Eddie Redmayne in Talks to Play Newt Scamander in Harry Potter Spinoff Film

”Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” will be penned by original author J.K. Rowling.

Tony and Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne is in talks to appear in a Harry Potter spinoff film.
Tony and Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne is in talks to appear in a Harry Potter spinoff film.
(© Tristan Fuge)

Tony and Oscar Award winner Eddie Redmayne has officially been offered the role of Newt Scamander in the forthcoming Harry Potter spinoff film, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. The news was first reported by the trade paper Variety, which also initially reported that Redmayne was the favorite to star.

Inspired by the novel of the same title by Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, the work would feature a screenplay by its original author. Redmayne's character, Newt Scamander, is a famous Magizoologist who authored a textbook Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Harry Potter vet David Yates has been tapped to direct.

Redmayne is a Tony Award winner for John Logan's play Red and starred in the movie musical version of Les Misérables. In February, he won the Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything.

Casting for the additional roles in the film is ongoing. Producing entity Warner Bros. had no comment on Redmayne's casting.