10 Actors Who Should Star in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

5. Ben Barnes

Ben Barnes seems like the classic example of a good actor who's never really had the material that suits him best. You know why Emma Stone dyed her naturally blond hair red? Because as a blonde, she was constantly being brought in for cheerleaders and sorority sisters and never getting the role, because although she looked right physically, she had a totally different vibe as an actor. That's sort of what Ben Barnes is like. He gets all of the generic leading man roles because he's classically handsome, but he has a slightly quirky sensibility that makes him seem like he might be better served by something a little bit more character-y. To this end, Newt Scamander would be a perfect fit. It's the lead character in a major blockbuster franchise, so it sort of goes without saying that they'll be looking for someone good-looking, but at the same time, Newt is a hippie wizard outcast, so he's not exactly a conventional leading man. Sure, it's taking a little bit of a chance, but one that has the potential to pay dividends if done right.
Contributor
Contributor

Audrey Fox is an ex-film student, which means that she prefers to spend her days in the dark, watching movies and pondering the director's use of diegetic sound. She currently works as an entertainment writer, joyfully rambling about all things film and television related. Add her on Twitter at @audonamission and check out her film blog at 1001moviesandbeyond.com.