Eddie Redmayne Reportedly In Talks For 'Fantastic Beasts' Role

Eddie Redmayne May Star In The 'Harry Potter' Spinoff Series
HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 22: Best Actor in a Leading Role winner Eddie Redmayne attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards Governors Ball at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 22, 2015 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 22: Best Actor in a Leading Role winner Eddie Redmayne attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards Governors Ball at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 22, 2015 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne was reportedly offered the role of Newt Scamander in "Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them," JK Rowling's "Harry Potter" spinoff series, according to Variety. Warner Bros. had no comment on the casting.

The series is set in Rowling's wizarding world and follows Newt, a magical animal specialist who wrote a textbook Harry Potter uses during his time at Hogwarts, though "Fantastic Beasts" is set 70 years before Harry even enters school. Rowling wrote the book in 2001 and will make her screenwriting debut with its film adaption.

Warner Bros. announced back in October that it would release the series as a trilogy instead of a stand-alone film, and that the first movie, directed by David Yates, is scheduled for a Nov. 8, 2016 release. The studio set the subsequent release dates for 2018 and 2020.

Before You Go

Steven Spielberg was one of the rumored directors up for "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," but the job wound up going to Chris Columbus ("Home Alone").
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
Before Alan Rickman was cast in "Harry Potter," Tim Roth discussed playing Severus Snape with producers.
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
On Aug. 22, 2000, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint were cast in "Harry Potter."
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
In 2001, the Internet was so new that Variety ran a story about Warner Bros. creating a "Harry Potter" website.
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
After the premiere, Radcliffe was pretty happy. "I'm quite like him," he said of the role that would become his calling card.
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

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