In early April, it was announced that Oscar-winner Eddie Redmayne (The Theory of Everything) is Warner Bros.' top choice to take on the lead role of Newt Scamander in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. At the time, no former offer had been made to the actor by the studio. Today, it is being widely reported that Eddie Redmayne has entered talks to officially take on the role.

J.K. Rowling, creator of the Harry Potter universe, has completed the screenplay for Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. The story takes place long before Harry and his friends ever arrived at Hogwarts, and follows Scamander as he sets out to write a text book about all of the fantastical creatures living in the real world, undetected by mankind. The movie will be set a full 70 years before the original movie franchise.

David Yates, who directed four of the eight Harry Potter movies including the epic conclusion Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2, will return to direct, with original franchise producer David Heyman returning as well. The studio believes Eddie Redmayne is the right person to help center this series as it moves forward. The actor is expected to take home another Oscar nomination next year for his upcoming performance as transgender artist Lili Elbe in director Tom Hooper's The Danish Girl. What do you think? Is Eddie Redmayne the perfect choice to play Newt Scamander in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.