MTV has caught-wind of a story from The Sun suggesting that Doctor Who‘s Matt Smith is interested in the role of Newt Scamander in Warner Bros. Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them, which is a Harry Potter spin-off set 80 years before the birth of Potter. This could land him a frontruner in the two-part project since he’s first name we’ve heard linked for the lead.
Let’s remember that the film is a British production which will made in the UK and populated with a local cast. It’s not shocking that a local paper (tabloid or not) would pick-up this story over a major American trade. We’ve seen this previously with many Bond films and including some Star Wars casting stories. I’m cautious because of the wording “interested” which doesn’t even mean there are current talks going-on. It’s still an interesting casting choice and I’m sure will have both Who and Potter fans a-buzz.
Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them will be directed by David Yates and has a release date of November 18th, 2016 with it’s sequel aiming for a November 2018 date.
SOURCE: THE SUN