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IN PHOTO: Eddie Redmayne poses with his Oscar for best actor nominee for his role in "The Theory of Everything" at the 87th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California February 22, 2015. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson Reuters/Lucy Nicholson

The “Harry Potter” spin-off movie “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” may soon get its lead actor. A new report suggests that Eddie Redmayne is emerging as a “favourite” to play the role of the protagonist in the upcoming movie.

Eddie Redmayne, the actor who was seen playing the role of Balem in the recently released movie “Jupiter Ascending,” may get to play the role of Newt Scamander in “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.” According to a report by Variety, sources familiar with the casting news of the movie have revealed that the actor is the frontrunner to play the role.

The news hasn’t been confirmed yet and Eddie Redmayne hasn’t received an official offer yet to be a cast member of the upcoming movie. The director is apparently considering other actors for the role before making his final decision.

The producers are also said to be looking to cast two boys and two girls from the U.S. to play four other main roles in the movies. The movie will mostly be based in New York and the story will be about 70 years before the events in the “Harry Potter” books.

Newt Scamander is a “magiczoologist,” a person who studies magical creatures. The character will be planning a brief visit to New York in the movie, but the events there will force him to stay in the city throughout the movie. The character is also the author of the book “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” and a reference to the author and his book may be found in the “Harry Potter” books.

Commenting on the news on social media, some of the fans expressed their excitement about Eddie Redmayne being a possible actor playing Newt Scamander. One of the fans who uses the Twitter handle @MrFilmkritik said that although he was not a fan of the actor, he would be a “nice fit” for the role. Fans of the franchise are eagerly waiting to see the movie in the theatres.

Another Twitter user who has the handle @joshiferlove hoped that there would be open casting calls for “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.” The three lead roles in the “Harry Potter” movies went to Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint after open casting calls were held. Some of the fans point out that the open casting call may be announced for the roles of extras in the upcoming movie.

For questions/comments regarding the article, you may email the writer at s.trivedi@ibtimes.com.au.