Cillian Murphy says he’s “categorically not” playing Voldemort in HBO ‘Harry Potter’ remake
Cillian Murphy has confirmed that he is “categorically not” set to play Voldemort in the upcoming TV remake of the Harry Potter series from HBO.
The actor was speaking in a recent interview with The Times ahead of his return to his iconic role in Peaky Blinders, with its new spinoff film, An Immortal Man, being released in cinemas on March 6th.
However, recent rumours and attention on Murphy has not centred on his reprisal of the character Tommy Shelby, and instead about the speculation that he could be set to play the iconic villain Voldemort in the HBO remake of Harry Potter, which is set to premiere next year.
Despite this, the actor has attempted to firmly put the rumours to bed, as when asked by the publication whether there was any truth to the prospect, he replied that he was “categorically not” taking on the role.
Murphy then joked “Can you make that the headline?”, claiming previously that he had not heard any of the rumours that have swirled across social media about his alleged casting in recent weeks.
They were particularly fuelled by Ralph Fiennes, who played the character in the original film series, when he said during an event at the end of January that he believed Murphy had been cast, and that he would be a “very good choice”.
With the Oppenheimer actor’s attempts to definitively shut down the rumours, it is not yet clear who has been chosen to play the role of Voldemort in the new series. They will join a major ensemble including the likes of John Lithgow, Nick Frost, and Janet McTeer, who have already been announced to be playing major parts in the adult cast.
However, many of those who have signed up to be part of the remake have attracted criticism in light of the transgender-exclusionary stance of JK Rowling, the original author of the series who has become a controversial social media figure in recent years.
In particular, Lithgow was forced to defend his acceptance of his role in the series at a recent event, before noting that he finds Rowling’s views “ironic and inexplicable”.
Never Miss A Scene
The Far Out Film Newsletter
All the latest film news from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.