First we told you that Eddie Redmayne was the front-runner to play Newt Scamander in FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM, the upcoming Harry Potter spin-off; then we told you that Eddie Redmayne had been offered the lead in FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM; now we're here to tell you that the lead role of Newt Scamander has finally been cast and I think you'll be surprised by who they chose: Eddie Redmayne. I know, mind blown right?
Greg Silverman, President of Creative Development and Worldwide Production for Warner Bros. made the announcment today and praised Eddie Redmayne's talents:
Eddie Redmayne has emerged as one of today’s most extraordinarily talented and acclaimed actors. 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.’
Newt Scamander is the wizarding world’s preeminent magizoologist and FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM will chronicle his travels as he encounters and documents a myriad of magical creatures, which ultimately leads to his penning of the Hogwarts School textbook Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. David Yates, who took the helm of the last four Harry Potter films and will return to direct FANTASTIC BEASTS, also had plenty of nice things to say about Redmayne:
Eddie is a fearless actor, brimming with invention, wit and humanity. I couldn’t be more excited about the prospect of working with him as we start this new adventure in J.K. Rowling’s wonderful world, and I know she feels the same way.
J.K. Rowling will make her screenwriting debut with FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM, which is scheduled to arrive in theaters on November 18, 2016, with sequels following suit in 2018 and 2020.
Are you happy that Redmayne's casting is finally official or were you hoping someone else would take home the role?