News of Eddie Redmayne’s casting in the Harry Potter prequel has been buzzing around the internet for a few days now. As the Inquisitr reported, to the delight of many enthusiastic Potter fans, Redmayne will play Newt Scamander in the film Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them .
Redmayne said that he’s “hugely delighted” to take on such a big role in J.K. Rowling’s prequel. Although it hasn’t started filming yet, Redmayne is excited and has sung the praises of the Harry Potter author, calling her a “genius.”
In an interview with the London Evening Standard , the Academy Award winner said, “I am so thrilled to be a part of it but I can’t say a single word beyond that. I’ve always loved that world and I feel thrilled to be invited into it.”
When it was announced that Eddie would take the lead, Greg Silverman, the President of Creative Development and Worldwide Production at Warner Bros., released the following statement.
“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.”
As stated, Eddie will play the character Newt, who is described as “the Wizarding World’s preeminent magizoologist, who in his travels has encountered and documented a myriad of magical creatures, ultimately leading to his penning the Hogwarts School textbook Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.”
Redmayne isn’t giving all the details away.
The actor said, “I’m hugely excited, JK Rowling’s a genius, I am so thrilled to be a part of it but I can’t say a single word beyond that… I’ve always loved that world and I feel thrilled to be invited into it.”
eddie redmayne is going to be in fantastic beasts my tiny child my son im so excited oh my god
— jo ? (@deadjehan) June 3, 2015
Imm so excited for fantastic beasts LIKE SERIOUSLY EDDIE REDMAYNE YES
— elyse (@devotioniall) June 2, 2015
Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne will play Newt Scamander in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Who’s excited?!
— The Girl Who Lived (@Potterology) June 2, 2015
YES!!!! Eddie Redmayne will be Newt Scamander in Fantastic Beasts!! Couldn’t be more excited! So glad it’s him!! pic.twitter.com/IXvE1EbRtT
— Rúben Machado (@rubenmachd) June 2, 2015
[Photo by Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images]