12 Apr – "The Theory of Everything" star Eddie Redmayne is up for another lead role; the 33-year-old is reportedly being eyed to star in Warner Bros.' upcoming "Harry Potter" spinoff trilogy. Redmayne is the studio's favourite to play Newt Scamander, according to Variety. Though there are other actors considered for the part, the Oscars 2014 Best Actor is currently the frontrunner. An official offer has yet to be made to the actor, who recently wrapped up filming for his 2016 movie, "The Danish Girl". The upcoming movie trilogy will mark J.K. Rowling's screenwriting debut, with "Harry Potter" director David Yates helming the project.
"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," said Rowling of the trilogy. "Fantastic Beasts" takes place around seven decades before Harry Potter's saga starts. Set in New York, it is based on the Hogwarts textbook of the same name and follows its author Scamander's adventures. The first "Fantastic Beasts" movie is slated for release on 18 November 2016.