Ever since the "Harry Potter" movies ended, fans of the famous books by J.K. Rowling have been clamoring for more of the magical world. Reports have come out that a spinoff movie based from another set of her books, "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them," are in the works and is now looking at another English actor to potentially play the lead.
According to a report in Variety, the studio behind the upcoming "Harry Potter" offshoot film is eyeing another actor to portray the role of Newt Scamander, the lead role in the movie.
Academy award-winning actor Eddie Redmayne is reportedly on top of the list to play the role, following an astonishing portrayal of Stephen Hawking in the film, "The Theory of Everything."
While it was said that Redmayne has yet to receive an actual offer, the film's director, David Yates, already set his sights on the 33-year-old actor and is the favorite to get the part.
Meanwhile, an article in Rope of Silicon noted that another person is a strong contender against the "Les Miserables" actor. Nicholas Hoult was reported to be included in the shortlist for the lead role.
Hoult's acting in "Mad Max: Fury Road" was rumored to have impressed many executives in Warner Bros. and it made them consider him for the role.
Neither the actors nor Warner Bros. has confirmed the news, so both news remain rumors as of now.
Earlier reports about the film pegged English actor, Matt Smith, to portray the magizoologist, said Cinema Blend. Smith rose to the spotlight in his role as the Eleventh Doctor in the BBC TV series, "Doctor Who."
The movie would take place in New York around 70 years before the start of the events in Hogwarts, said IB Times. Magizoologist Scamander is in the city supposedly for a short time only but certain events forced him to prolong his stay.
His character is the author of the fictional book, "Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them," which was part of the schoolbooks Harry Potter and his friends studied while in Hogwarts.
Aside from the role of Scamander, the studio is also looking for four other main characters to cast. All four would be Americans with two men and two women to play them.
No word was given to confirm the identities of the actors to be cast for the other four characters.
The movie is J.K. Rowling's first foray into screenwriting.
"Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them" is slated for a November 18, 2016 opening date.
