Eddie Redmayne solemnly swears that he is up to no good. Warner Bros. announced Monday that the Oscar-wining actor has been cast in the Harry Potter prequel Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
The title takes its name from a companion “textbook” by J.K. Rowling with the fictional byline “Newt Scamander”; that will be Redmayne’s role. The studio describes the character in a statement as “the Wizarding World’s preeminent magizoologist, who in his travels has encountered and documented a myriad of magical creatures.” The film will take place 70 years before the Potter series begins, Deadline reports.
Harry Potter Illustrated Edition Illustrations
Rowling is writing the screenplay herself for the first time; David Yates, a four-time Harry Potter director, will helm the film. The series’ producer for all eight features, David Heyman, will fill that role again, too.
Warner Bros. says Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them will be released in 3D and IMAX on Nov. 18, 2016.
More Must-Reads From TIME
- The 100 Most Influential People of 2024
- How Far Trump Would Go
- Scenes From Pro-Palestinian Encampments Across U.S. Universities
- Saving Seconds Is Better Than Hours
- Why Your Breakfast Should Start with a Vegetable
- 6 Compliments That Land Every Time
- Welcome to the Golden Age of Ryan Gosling
- Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time
Contact us at letters@time.com