A month after Eddie Redmayne was first rumored as the frontrunner, Variety now reports the Oscar winner has been offered the lead role in the "Harry Potter" spinoff "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them."

Directed by David Yates from a script by J.K. Rowling, the Warner Bros. film follows the adventures of famous magizoologist Newt Scamander in New York City, several decades before the events of "Harry Potter." Scamander’s pioneering work in magizoology becomes a fundamental part of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

According to Variety, insiders say the "Theory of Everything" star had wanted to wait until the script was complete to commit to the role of Scamander, and now he's pleased with what he's read. The website notes that although Yates still may be eyeing other actors, "it’s looking like Redmayne has the inside track."

Warner Bros. is casting a net for four other major roles, two American girls and two American boys, for what's planned as a trilogy.

"Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" bows on Nov. 18, 2016.