Shortly after ‘Doctor Who’ celebrated it’s 50th anniversary, Matt Smith left the long-running British sci-fi show to make way for Peter Capaldi’s Twelfth Doctor. Since then, the former Raggedy Man took on a number of very different roles in films such as ‘How To Catch A Monster ‘(aka ‘Lost River’),’ ‘Terminator Genysis,’ and ‘Patient Zero.’ But now it seems like the actor might join another well-established franchise from across the pond that many great English entertainers have passed through in its time.
Penned by J.K. Rowling herself, ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them’ will follow a young, adventurous writer that seeks out magical creatures and goes on to create one of the most recognizable textbooks to young witches and wizards. The upcoming ‘Harry Potter’ spinoff is also set to take place during the 1920s and will show magical ways of life in other corners of the world such as New York City in America. And now according to Cinemablend, multiple sources are reporting that the Eleventh Doctor may take the lead role of (wizarding) world-renowned magizooligist Newt Scamander. These reports say that Smith is currently the favorite to star in ‘Fantastic Beasts,’ which is rumored to begin production in London this summer.
Interestingly enough, if Smith were to land this part, he wouldn’t be the first ‘Doctor Who’ alumnus to appear in the ‘Harry Potter’ franchise. Aside from the Tenth Doctor David Tennant playing Barty Crouch Jr., Michael Gambon (Albus Dumbledore), Helen McCrory (Narcissa Malfoy), John Cleese (Nearly Headless Nick), Bill Nighy (Rufus Scrimgeour), and Zoe Wanamaker (Madame Hooch) have all had run-ins with the Doctor.
Of course, there hasn’t been any official word from Rowling, director David Yates, or Warner Bros. about this casting, but if ‘Fantastic Beasts’ is actually set to roll camera in a few months, we’re likely to learn the identity of the film’s star sooner rather than later. As soon as that news drops, we here at ScienceFiction.com will be sure to keep you updated. Until then, would you like to see Matt Smith star as Newt Scamander in ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’? Are there any other actors that you think would fit the part as well? Sound off in the comments.
‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’ apparates into theaters on November 18, 2016.
