Cillian Murphy has become the latest name making waves in the Harry Potter fandom as fans speculate he could be cast as Lord Voldemort in the upcoming HBO reboot of the beloved wizarding saga.
The rumors picked up steam after Warner Bros. confirmed that the new Harry Potter television series is officially moving forward, with production expected to begin this summer at the original filming location—Warner Bros. Studio in Leavesden, UK.
During a recent interview with Deadline, Warner Bros. Television Group Chairman and CEO Channing Dungey was asked directly about the possibility of Murphy stepping into the iconic villain role. Her response, however, was anything but revealing.
“I have no comment, no comment, no comment,” Dungey said, before adding, “We are still weighing a couple of different options there, so we’re not quite ready yet. That’s an important role to get right.”
Fans have been dream-casting their ideal versions of Hogwarts’ most notorious enemy ever since the reboot was announced. Among the top picks, Murphy has emerged as a favorite due to his recent Oscar-winning performance in Oppenheimer and his proven ability to portray complex, dark characters.
Adding fuel to the speculation, Ralph Fiennes, who originally portrayed Voldemort in the film franchise, gave his stamp of approval. Appearing on Watch What Happens Live, Fiennes said, “Cillian is a wonderful actor and a wonderful suggestion.”
While no casting decisions have been confirmed, the possibility of Murphy donning the Dark Lord’s iconic look has excited fans and critics alike. Until official word is out, the magic of speculation continues to swirl around the much-anticipated return to the wizarding world.
