The new Harry Potter spin off movie may have an Oscar award winner as its lead star. British actor Eddie Redmayne is reportedly being eyed for the part of Newt Scamander in the new Harry Potter film titled, "Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them."

Variety reported that the "Les Miserables" star is the frontrunner in the list of actors who are being considered for the lead role. But the actor reportedly will not commit to the role until he is able to read the script, which is yet to be finished.

Plenty of fans are not too happy about the news, with many stating that they think that another British actor is a better fit for the role. Some point to Matt Smith, who played the eleventh "Doctor Who" in the long running series.   

The new movie, which is based on a minor character in the Harry Potter books will be penned by J.K. Rowling herself. The story's main character is Newt Scamander is a "magic zoologist," or a person whose life is dedicated to the observation and study of magical creatures.

Fans know that author J.K. Rowling wrote this spin-off book based on the reference textbook that Harry used during his time at Hogwarts. The spin-off book revolves around author Newt and his travels all around the world chronicling the different kinds of magical creatures he encounters. The events in "Fantastic Beasts"  take place seventy years before Harry Potter's time.

But according to Rowling, the new Harry Potter movie should not be thought of in chronological relation to the events in Harry Potter's timeline. Rowling has stated that in her official Facebook account that "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them," is "neither a prequel nor a sequel to the Harry Potter series, but an extension of the wizarding world."

"Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them," is slated for a November 2016 release date.