Colin Farrell joins Harry Potter spinoff 'Fantastic Beasts'

Colin Farrell is ready to cast a spell.

The Irish actor has joined the cast of Warner Bros.' Harry Potter spin-off Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, which will star Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Ezra Miller and Alison Sudol.

Farrell will play Graves, a wizard that Newt Scamander (Redmayne) meets in New York. The story centers on Newt's adventures in the secret community of witches and wizards as he attempts to document magical creatures. The events of Fantastic Beasts take place70 years before Harry Potter reads Newt's book in school. Dan Fogler also was recently cast in the film.

David Yates is directing the return to J.K. Rowling's wizarding world, and Rowling wrote the script.

Potter producer David Heyman is back as producer, this time accompanied by Rowling. Steve Kloves, who wrote seven out of the eight Potter movies, and Lionel Wigram are also producing. The film is set for release on Nov. 18, 2016.

Farrell is currently starring on HBO's second season of True Detective. His latest film, Yargos Lanthimos' The Lobster, premiered to critical acclaim at the Cannes Film Festival in May, and won the Jury Prize at the festival. Centering on a world where people must find a mate in 45 days or be turned into an animal for the rest of their lives, The Lobster also starred Rachel Weisz and John C. Reilly.

Farrell, whose previous credits include Saving Mr. Banks, Horrible Bosses and Seven Psychopaths, has also shot thriller Solace, opposite Anthony Hopkins. He's repped by CAA, LBI Entertainment and attorney Steve Warren.

Click through for photos of other potential "Fantastic Beasts" cast members:

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