It seems the cast for Fantastic Beasts 2 is gradually coming together. Just a week after it as announced that Jude Law had joined the cast, it has been announced that rising star Callum Turner will portray Theseus Scamander, an Auror for the British Ministry of Magic and the brother of Newt Scrimander (Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne). In the book, Theseus is older than Newt, but given the age difference between Redmayne and Turner, this may be switched in the film, or Turner may be featured in flashbacks. Little is known about the plot, except that it spans over a 20 year period, and will take place primarily in Paris. Variety was the first to report.
Eddie Redmayne will indeed return as Newt Scamander in the sequel. Jude Law recently signed on to play a young Dumbledore, while Johnny Depp is set to play Grindlewald. According to rumors, Zoë Kravitz and her character Leta Lestrange are expected to have a much larger part in this film, as she attended Hogwarts with Newt Scamander and was allegedly to blame for him being expelled. Alison Sudol and Katherine Waterston will also reprise their roles as witches Queenie and Tina Goldstein, and Dan Fogler will return as muggle Jacob Kowalski.
The original film was based on J.K. Rowling’s book Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Rowling wrote the original book in 2001, and had most of the profits benefiting the charity Comic Relief. Over 80% of the cover price of each book sold goes directly to poor children in various places around the world. Fantastic Beasts has made over $814 million total at the box office, and won the Oscar for Best Costume Design. There are expected to be a third, fourth, and fifth installment of the franchise, all directed by David Yates.
Turner became a breakout star after his role in indie thriller Green Room, alongside Patrick Stewart and the late Anton Yelchin. Look for him this year to play the lead in The Only Living Boy in New York beside Jeff Bridges, Kate Beckinsale, and Pierce Brosnan. Although a relative newcomer, Turner previously had supporting roles on films such as Victor Frankenstein with James McAvoy and Daniel Radcliffe and Assassin’s Creed with Michael Fassbender, Marion Cotillard, and Jeremy Irons. He also had a part in the BBC miniseries War and Peace, in which he appeared in five episodes of the six-part series.
Fantastic Beasts 2 is due in US theaters November 16, 2018.