The more, the merrier indeed.
It looks like Warner Bros. is planning to feature a star-studded cast for their upcoming “Harry Potter” spin-off series titled “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”. In recent news, sources revealed to Variety that Ezra Miller is in early talks to play Kredan in the movie.
Miller emerged as the choice for the role of Kredan because sources told Variety that for weeks, he has always been the studio’s favourite. However, it is unclear how close they are on closing the deal. In the novel, Kredan is described as “a person with magical powers” who encounters Scamander “when he stops in New York City on his travels to find and document magical creatures”.
Set in New York City during the 1920s, the trilogy series is based on the Hogwarts textbook of the same name and it centres on its author and “magiczoologist”, Newt Scamander. The story follows the adventures of Scamander and the magical community in the Big Apple.
J.K. Rowling, the author of the famed novel series, completed the script for the film adaptation last November. Regarding the trilogy, Rowling explained:
Although it will be set in the worldwide community of witches and wizards where I was so happy for 17 years, “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” is neither a prequel nor a sequel to the “Harry Potter” series but an extension of the wizarding world.
“Theory of Everything” star Eddie Redmayne and “Mad Max: Fury Road” actor Nicholas Hoult were eyed to star in the spin-off as Scamander. But after much deliberation, Redmayne emerged as the top choice as the studio confirmed that he will be taking on the role.
The studio is currently looking to cast the remaining key roles, including 2 American girls and 2 American boys. Katherine Waterston was recently announced to be playing Tina (short for Porpetina), the female lead who is described as a “witch who operates in the U.S”. The character played by the British-born American actress will serve as a “pivotal role” in Scamander’s adventures in New York City. Warner Bros. has yet to find the suitable actors who can play Queenie, the younger sister of Tina, and Jacob, Scamander’s rival.
Rather than casting newcomers, Variety reported that the studio is “looking for more established faces”. Sources said Josh Gad (of “Frozen” fame) and Michael Cera (of “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” fame) are meeting next week to see who will take the role of Scamander’s rival. Alison Sudol is director David Yates’ top choice for the role of Queenie, but insiders revealed that no offer has been given for the role yet. They added that the studio is considering to cast an actress that’s more established.
Miller, who is best known for his roles in “We Need to Talk About Kevin” and “Perks of Being a Wallflower“, will be seen next in the studio’s upcoming DC comics film “The Flash“. He will first appear as the scarlet speedster in Zack Snyder‘s “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice“. His most recent filming credits include A24’s “The Stanford Prison Experiment” and Universal’s “Trainwreck”.
Yates, who directed the last 4 “Harry Potter” movies, is helming “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”, with David Heyman attached as the producer. The film, which is intended to be the first of a trilogy, will be released on 18th November 2016.
