16 June – "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" has found itself a leading lady. It was recently revealed by Warner Bros. that British-born American actress Katherine Waterston has landed herself the bewitching role. Waterston will be joining Academy Award-winner Eddie Redmayne, who is set to star as "magizoologist" Newt Scamander. Waterston will star opposite Redmayne as Porpentina, or Tina for short, a witch working her magic in the U.S. who meets Scamander during his visit to the Big Apple as he travels to find and document magical creatures. Warner Bros. Pictures President of Creative Development and Worldwide Production Greg Silverman said in a statement by Warner Bros., "Katherine Waterston is a rising star, who was a revelation in our film 'Inherent Vice,' earning the praise of both critics and audiences. We are thrilled to have her back in the Warner Bros. family, especially in one of our most anticipated titles for 2016."
The first spinoff from the popular "Harry Potter" series is based on the 2001 book of the same name, which in turn is inspired by Scamander's Hogwarts textbook "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them." The movie will be set in New York, 70 years before Harry Potter's story begins. Author J.K. Rowling also pens the screenplay herself, to be directed by David Yates, who helmed the last four "Harry Potter" movies. Other than "Fantastic Beasts", Waterston will also be seen next in Universal Pictures' 2015 movie, "Steve Jobs", which will be released about four years after the anniversary of the Apple founder's death. "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" can be found in cinemas in November 2016.