Eddie Redmayne may star in the ‘Harry Potter’ spin-off trilogy. Time to freak out.
Remember a while back when there was talk about Eddie Redmayne playing Newt Scamander in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them? And it was such a good idea that we thought it was probably too good to ever come true? Well, all our wishing and hoping paid off, because Redmayne has now officially been offered the part of Newt.
Before we pour rounds of Butterbeer, he hasn’t committed to the role yet—but we’re close. According to Variety, back in April, he liked the idea (because how can you not like a Harry Potter spin-off idea?), but wanted to read a finished script before he signed onto anything. Now, he’s gotten a script — and is “very happy” with what he’s read. So if first comes talks, and then comes reading the script, third is signing onto the movie, right? Not so fast. Variety claims he’s still “in talks” for the role.
Fantastic Beasts, by the way, is set way before Harry ever gets to Hogwarts. Fantastic Beasts is actually a text book that Harry’s supposed to read during his first year at Hogwarts (it’s required). And while, yes, we would just want a film version of the encyclopedia of magical beasts, this movie will focus on its author Newt, who arrives in New York City in the 1920s. What he’s doing there, and what beasts he finds is anyone’s guess right now, but the idea of Redmayne playing a wizard in 1920s wizard clothing is exciting enough as it is. OH, also, it’s going to be a trilogy of films. That’s three times the Redmayne, and three times the magic.
Now all we need is for him to seal the deal. We hope it happens soon, because the movie already has a release date. It’ll fly, slither, and creep into theaters on November 18th, 2016.
