Redmayne Cast As Lead In Fantastic Beasts

Eddie Redmayne will play the lead character in the Harry Potter prequel Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them.

The Oscar-winning actor will play magizoologist Newt Scamander in the film based on JK Rowling's 2001 book.

"Eddie Redmayne has emerged as one of today’s most extraordinarily talented and acclaimed actors," Greg Silverman from Warner Bros Pictures said.

He added that the studios are "thrilled to welcome him into JK Rowling’s Wizarding World" and know he will give a "remarkable performance".

The film, which was also written by Rowling, is inspired by the textbook of the same name given to pupils at Hogwarts school but there will be no sign of the teenage wizard.

It starts in New York 70 years before Harry's story begins.

Fantastic Beasts will be directed by David Yates who also made the final four Harry Potter films for Warner Bros.

"Eddie is a fearless actor, brimming with invention, wit and humanity," Yates said in a statement.

"I couldn’t be more excited about the prospect of working with him as we start this new adventure in JK Rowling’s wonderful world, and I know she feels the same way."

Rowling has not yet commented on the casting.

Redmayne won the best actor Academy Award for his portrayal of Professor Stephen Hawking in The Theory Of Everything.

He had recently been filming The Danish Girl in Copenhagen where he plays Lili Elbe, one of the first known recipients of sexual reassignment surgery.

:: Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them is scheduled for release in November 2016.