Variety is reporting today that two more actors have been cast in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Alison Sudol will play Queenie, the younger sister of Tina, played by Katherine Waterston, who eventually becomes Newt Scamander’s wife. They also confirm that Ezra Miller, who starred alongside Emma Watson in The Perks of Being a Wallflower, has joined the cast. It is assumed he will be playing an American named Kredan, though it is still unknown.

They also report that Josh Gad and John Krasinski are the final choices for the other main American in the film, Jacob. No word yet on if this is true or when the role will be officially cast.

Set in New York roughly seven decades before Harry Potter’s saga starts, “Fantastic Beasts” is based on the Hogwarts textbook of the same name and follows the adventures of its author, Scamander. Scamander is described as a “magiczoologist,” someone who studies magical creatures. Besides Scamander, there are four other main roles — two American girls and two American boys — that the studio is looking to cast.

David Yates is directing the film, which is set to release on November 18th 2016.

UPDATE: J.K. Rowling has revealed that Kredan is NOT a character in the movie and that the name is incorrect, she did not give any further details.

.@KeridoAvada Kredan is quite literally nobody. They got the name wrong!

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) July 10, 2015

With the coming of this release it is expected that Warner Bros. may reveal merchandise and graphics for Fantastic Beasts at the upcoming Licensing Expo next week.

The relevant parts of the press release may be read below:

With a powerhouse portfolio of entertainment properties—anchored by a theatrical slate of tentpole films, a fan-driven TV portfolio, global initiatives with immersive worlds, all-new animated content developed for younger fans, and a diverse lineup of pop-classic favorites—Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP) soars into Licensing Expo 2015 with an unrivaled lineup of content support and partners that will drive its licensing, merchandising and retail business in 2016 and beyond.

“WBCP arrives at Licensing Expo with an unmatched portfolio of content and product offerings, led by the most anticipated feature film events of 2016—DC Comics’ Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, the first time fans will see Batman and Superman together in a theatrical event; DC Comics’ Suicide Squad, the first-ever theatrical team up of some of the most iconic Super-Villains; and from J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” said Brad Globe, President of Warner Bros. Consumer Products. “Content is the cornerstone of our robust programs, and we have an unparalleled lineup of collaborations and partnerships, which is a testament to the trusted relationships we have built with all of our licensing and retail partners.”

[…]

The wizarding world continues to delight audiences with Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, J.K. Rowling’s screenwriting debut, which marks an expanded creative partnership between Warner Bros. Entertainment and J.K. Rowling, and which will be fully supported by WBCP to offer fans an exciting licensing and merchandising program. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, the first in a new film series from J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World, is inspired by Hogwarts textbook Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, and the adventures of the book’s fictitious author, Newt Scamander.

“We are incredibly excited to further explore and dig deeper into our already strong portfolio with an eye towards content creation, allowing us to offer initiatives for girls, boys and preschoolers on a global scale,” said Karen McTier, Executive Vice President, Warner Bros. Consumer Products. “With programs like DC Super Hero Girls, Batman Unlimited, DC Super Friends and more, WBCP is creating new content and building impactful activations with partners around the world.”

The release also included some information on the Potter theme parks and exhibitions:

Warner Bros.’ global themed entertainment offerings continue to expand worldwide bringing the Warner Bros. experience to theme parks, international cultural venues, live stages and more. In July of 2014, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter expanded globally, opening at Universal Studios Japan in Osaka, and domestically with the opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley, the highly anticipated expansion at Universal Orlando Resort, creating the world’s first centrally themed, multi-park experience and expanding The Wizarding World of Harry Potter across both Universal Orlando theme parks. Additionally, the countdown has begun for the Spring 2016 opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood.

 Harry Potter: The Exhibition, currently in Paris and with more stops planned for 2015 and beyond, continues to bring the Harry Potter experience to fans with a state-of-the-art interactive, travelling exhibition featuring thousands of props, costumes and magical creatures from the Warner Bros. films based on J.K. Rowling’s beloved book series.

Warner Bros. confirmed today via press release that Eddie Redmayne will be playing Newt Scamander in the upcoming Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them films. The first film is set to be released on November 18th 2016.

Academy Award-winning actor Eddie Redmayne has been cast as Newt Scamander in Warner Bros. Pictures’ much-anticipated wizarding world adventure “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.” The announcement was made today by Greg Silverman, President of Creative Development and Worldwide Production, Warner Bros. Pictures.

Redmayne will play J.K. Rowling’s creation Newt Scamander, the Wizarding World’s preeminent magizoologist, who in his travels has encountered and documented a myriad of magical creatures, ultimately leading to his penning the Hogwarts School textbook Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

In making the announcement, Silverman said, “Eddie Redmayne has emerged as one of today’s most extraordinarily talented and acclaimed actors. We are thrilled to welcome him into J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World, where we know he will deliver a remarkable performance as Newt Scamander, the central character in ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.’”

Making her screenwriting debut on the film, J.K. Rowling has developed the character of Scamander and his primer—taken from her globally beloved Harry Potter series—to further explore the unique wizarding world she has crafted in print and bring it to life on screen.

David Yates, who directed the last four “Harry Potter” films and will direct “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” stated, “Eddie is a fearless actor, brimming with invention, wit and humanity. I couldn’t be more excited about the prospect of working with him as we start this new adventure in J.K. Rowling’s wonderful world, and I know she feels the same way.”

The film is being produced by David Heyman, producer of all eight of the blockbuster “Harry Potter” features; J.K. Rowling; Steve Kloves, who scripted all but one of the “Harry Potter” films; and Lionel Wigram, who served as an executive producer on the last four installments of the franchise.

Warner Bros. Pictures has slated “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” for worldwide release in 3D and IMAX on November 18, 2016.

We’ve been avoiding posting any unofficial casting rumors for Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, but today The Wrap is reporting that casting has begun for 3 other characters in the film as well as who is testing for those roles. It has been reported for the past few weeks that Oscar-winner Eddie Redmayne is in talks to play Newt Scamander, but is not confirmed. Thanks to Hypable, for doing a little more digging, we have a few more details on each character:

Tina – Described as “grounded.”  Testing for this role are Saoirse Ronan, Dakota Fanning, Allison Sudol, and Lili Simmons.

MM Note: It is also speculated that Tina’s full name is Porpentina, meaning she is Newt’s (future) wife. Makes sense to us!

Queenie – Tina’s younger sister and described as a “bombshell.” Testing for this role are Kate Upton, Katherine Waterston and Elizabeth Debicki

Jacob – Described as Newt’s “rival,” testing for this role are Steve Zisis, Zack Pearlman and Dan Fogler.

Thanks to SnitchSeeker, we know that it has been announced by Warner Bros. and IMAX that the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them trilogy will be relelased in IMAX.

“We’ve had an incredible partnership with Warner Bros. for more than 10 years, which has helped IMAX filmgoers enjoy Warner movies around the world,” said IMAX CEO Richard L. Gelfond. “We’re excited and grateful to extend that partnership.”

“With this multi-picture deal, IMAX and Warner Bros. continue a lengthy and substantial partnership, which is invested in bringing the highest-quality entertainment to the most awe-inspiring cinematic experience,” said Greg Foster, Senior Executive Vice President, IMAX Corp. and CEO of IMAX Entertainment. “But at its core, this deal enriches and broadens IMAX’s relationship with key filmmakers, who have always been a top priority for Warner Bros. in bringing the most compelling cinema to audiences around the world.”

Collider also released an interview with producer David Heyman where he discussed the upcoming film.

Obviously, it’s very difficult to successfully adapt any book series, and you did that, above and beyond, with the Harry Potter films. What does it mean to you to have had a hand in that, and what are the biggest concerns for you, in continuing that legacy with Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them?

What does it mean? I don’t know. It’s just about doing the best you can, telling stories in a way that is making good films with characters that people of any age can relate to and that move an audience. It’s really exciting to be embarking upon Fantastic Beasts. I can’t wait. Jo [Rowling] has got such an incredible imagination, and it’s lovely to be in the wizarding world again.

How far along are you in the development process for Fantastic Beasts, and do you know when you’ll start shooting?

Jo is writing, and we don’t yet have a start date. We’re in the very early stages of pre-production and development.

There’s been talk about certain actors possibly getting involved. How excited are you to possibly have Eddie Redmayne as the star, and how soon do you think you’ll announce your lead actor?There are a few big parts. We’re early on in our casting process. There are some really exciting possibilities for the parts, but we’re still very early on in the journey.

While out promoting his new film Paddington, which was released in the UK back in November and will hit US theatres on January 16th, David Heyman briefly discusses the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them films and reveals that production designer Stuart Craig will be back for the films. Stuart was the designer for all the Potter films as well as Universal’s theme parks.

“The experience of conjuring up these worlds is such fun.  So to do it with [Rowling] and with Steve Kloves and Lionel Wigram is involved too, and with David Yates, and Stuart Craig will be designing it; it’s great.  It’s exciting, and it’s a great world to return to.”

He also revealed that shooting will begin this Summer: “We will shoot later on this year.  The plan is to shoot late summer.”

On the subject of casting he say: “Early, early, early days.  Really early days.  I mean we’re at the very beginning.”In regards to three films he states: “We’re making just one film, but I believe there’s been talk about it being three. But we’re just talking about it as one.”

Thanks to Hypable for the tip!