Matt Smith could be taking the lead in Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them.

The former Doctor Who star is said to be “favourite” to play adventurer and “magizoologist” Newt Scamander in the Harry Potter spin-off film, reported The Sun.

JK Rowling
JK Rowling wrote the Harry Potter novels (Ian West/PA)

The big-screen adaptation of JK Rowling’s book is based on the fictional textbook of the same name and set 80 years before Harry Potter and his friends Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, played by Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, joined Hogwarts.

The film, which has been written by the Scottish author and will be directed by David Yates, is scheduled to start filming in London in the summer.

There is already a Change.org petition for film bosses to offer Matt the role.

Benedict Cumberbatch has also been linked to the role.

Matt Smith and Jenna Coleman
Matt Smith and Doctor Who co-star Jenna Coleman (Arthur Edwards/PA)

Matt, who portrayed the eleventh incarnation of the Time Lord in the BBC sci-fi series, will next appear in Ryan Gosling’s directorial debut, Lost River.

The 32-year-old actor will also star in Terminator Genisys and Pride And Prejudice And Zombies.

Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them is scheduled to be released in UK cinemas in November 2016.