Oscar Winning Actor Confirmed for Lead in Harry Potter Spin-Off

Oscar winning actor Eddie Redmayne has landed the lead in the forthcoming Harry Potter spinoff, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.  The 33-year-old Brit will take on the role of New Scamander, an expert on magical creatures. The events of Fantastic Beasts take place in New York, about 70 years before the Potter saga begins. Warner Bros. confirmed the news of Redmayne's appointment on Monday, adding that the film will be the first of three in the spinoff series. The first in the trio is due for release on November 18th 2016. Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling is penning the screenplay for the films. Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling is writing the screenplays for the films Fans of the Harry Potter books will be familiar with Fantastic Beasts as a textbook used by students at Hogwarts. Earlier this year Redmayne claimed a Best Actor Oscar for his turn as Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything. "Eddie is a fearless actor, brimming with invention, wit and humanity", said Greg Silverman, Warner's president of creative development and production, in a statement. "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."