Colin Farrell joins Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them

Whether you loved or hated the Harry Potter movies, its spin-off, Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them, is shaping up to be something really special thanks to its cast. So far, we have recent Oscar-winner Eddie Redmayne in the lead as Newt Scamander, Ezra Miller, Dan Fogler, Alison Scudol and Katherine Waterston – and now add to that glowing line-up Colin Farrell.

Farrell seems a leftfield choice for a family-friendly fantasy adventure (especially considering his current stint on the none-more-bleak True Detective), but according to The Hollywood Reporter, he’ll be playing Graves, a wizard based in New York City. Set roughly 70 years before the events of Harry’s own adventures, and based on JK Rowling’s compendium of the weird and wonderful creatures found in that universe, Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them will be directed by David Yates (a Harry Potter veteran), and has a touted release date of November 18, 2016. A stage play, Harry Potter and The Cursed Child, is also due to open next summer – so expect Harry Potter madness to return in force.