03/06/2015 - Film adaptation of JK Rowling novel marks her screenwriting debut

Eddie Redmayne, who won best actor at the BAFTAs, Golden Globe and the Academy Awards for The Theory of Everything [+see also:
trailer
film profile], has been cast as Newt Scamander in Warner Bros. Pictures’ Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile], based on British author JK Rowling’s 2001 book. Set 70 years before the events of the Harry Potter series, the story follows Scamander, the Wizarding World’s preeminent magizoologist, who in his travels has encountered and documented many magical creatures, ultimately leading to his writing the Hogwarts School textbook Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Rowling makes her screenwriting debut with the film. British filmmaker David Yates, who directed the last four Harry Potter films, will direct. 

The film is being produced by David Heyman, producer of all eight Harry Potter films, Rowling, Steve Kloves, who scripted seven of the Harry Potter films, and Lionel Wigram, who executive produced the last four Harry Potter films. 

Greg Silverman, President of Creative Development and Worldwide Production, Warner Bros. Pictures, said, “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.” 

Yates said, “Eddie is a fearless actor, brimming with invention, wit and humanity. 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.”

The film will release worldwide on November 18, 2016.