Warner Bros. has started casting for their Harry Potter spinoff Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, which will start production this August in both New York City and at Warner Bros.' Leavesden Studios in southeastern England. The studio is holding open casting sessions for all lead and supporting roles, including the main character, 23-year-old "magizoologist" Newton Scamander, who would go on to write the textbook Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them that was used at Hogwarts. No further character details were given, but the story will take place in the 1920s, 70 years before Harry Potter first set foot in Hogwarts. The story is described as "an extension of the wizarding world - rather than being prequels or sequels."

The casting notice also confirms a report from January, where producer David Heyman revealed that they are making Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them as a singular film, and not necessarily as a trilogy. Warner Bros. announced in October that it would be releasing three movies based Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them in 2016, 2018 and 2020, but that isn't quite happening just yet. Here's a brief excerpt from the casting call.

"Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is being produced as a single film project, with the possibility of additional films."

David Yates is directing Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them from a screenplay by J.K. Rowling, with the director and writer also producing alongside David Heyman, Steve Kloves and Neil Blair. For those interested in submitting to become a Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them extra or cast member, you can CLICK HERE for more details.