Eddie Redmayne New Frontrunner to Star in Harry Potter Spin-off FANTASTIC BEASTS

Just a couple weeks ago we posted news that Matt Smith might be the lead star in the Harry Potter spin-off Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them. Two new reports, via Variety and The Wrap, say that recent Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne is Warner Bros.' frontrunner for the  starring role of Newt Scamander. Because the film will be at least a trilogy and maybe more, any actor who commits to the role could have the next 6-8 years mostly locked up.

Variety and The Wrap also say that Nicholas Hoult is in contention. Neither report mentions Smith at all, which leads me to believe he's not on the studio's short list. While my favorite of the three is Smith, Redmayne is undoubtedly a talented and charismatic actor.