Entertainment

Is This Our New 'Fantastic Beasts' Star?

While this is far from confirmed, I have to say, I really like where this is headed: According to a report in Variety, The Theory of Everything star (and Oscar-winner... and overall adorable human being) Eddie Redmayne could star in Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them, the upcoming Harry Potter spinoff film that's in the works over at Warner Brothers. Though the studio reportedly declined to comment on the rumors, the site reports that Redmayne is the "frontrunner" for the lead role of Newt Scamander, which former Doctor Who star Matt Smith was linked to in previous rumors.

Although it may be a while before we receive any semblance of confirmation or denial of these reports, I have to say: Redmayne in this role actually seems sort of perfect. Redmayne has the perfect look for a character like Scamander, who is described in J.K. Rowling's original text as a famed Magizoologist who spent much of his life researching, studying, and doing other scholarly things — we already know Redmayne plays a badass scholar thanks to his portrayal of Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything ... so this is basically the same thing. Only, y'know, with wands and stuff.

As Variety adds, "director David Yates is still also considering a few other actors for the part," but Redmayne is said to be rather close to securing it. But honestly... how can Yates say "no" to this face?

(Answer: You can't, it's impossible.)

Image: Giphy