"Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" Synopsis
The plot of J.K. Rowling's "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them," starring Eddie Redmayne (above) as Newt Scamander, has been released. Entertainment Weekly

Magic is in the air … and on our magazine covers! On Wednesday, Entertainment Weekly gave wizards and Muggles alike a first look at “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” -- a “prequel” to the Harry Potter franchise that was written by author J.K. Rowling (her first screenplay in fact).

But shortly after giving fans a glimpse into the Rowling’s magical word, set in the 1920s, the enchanted plot of “Fantastic Beasts” was released. Here’s what fans can expect in the upcoming film, which occurs 70 years before Harry ever stepped foot into Hogwarts.

Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne will portray Newt Scamander in the film, a name "Harry Potter" enthusiasts will find rather familiar. Newt was a famed Magizoologist and author of “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” -- a bestseller, first published in 1927, that eventually became an approved textbook at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

But before the hybrid animal-lover became notable in his field for his knowledge of exotic creatures, he packed his bags -- and his trusty brief case -- for New York to presumably do research on his forthcoming book. When Newt arrives to the states, according to E! Online, he’ll learn that the wizards living in America are “fearfully hiding” from “No-Maj” -- the Americanized version of Muggles (non-magic folk). Entertainment Weekly compared the threat of the wizard community to that of the Salem witch trials. (Gulp!)

The plot will follow Newt as he makes his was to “wiz-phobic America” and what happens when the creatures that the gifted, English wizard collected throughout his travels escape from his case.

It was revealed that actress Katherine Waterston will take on the role of Porpentina “Tina” Goldstein, an employee of the Magical Congress of the United States of America who eventually befriends Newt. Alison Sudol will portray Tina’s younger sister, Alison, who can read minds. The Huffington Post also revealed Dan Folger will play the first No-Maj main character in the trilogy named Jacob Kowalski. Colin Farrell will take on the character Graves, who is a “right-hand man” to the President of the American Wizarding world. Actress Samantha Morton portrays Mary Lou, the leader of “The Second Salemers,” and Ezra Miller will portray Credence, Mary Lou’s adopted son.

“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” is set to be released in theaters on Nov. 18, 2016.

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