MOVIE NEWS – Fans speculated that Cillian Murphy would become the next Voldemort, but for the first time, the actor himself has spoken about the HBO Max Harry Potter series and addressed the rumors directly.

The world has been pointing to Cillian Murphy, star of Peaky Blinders and Oppenheimer, as the new Dark Lord. His mysterious aura seemed to make him the perfect choice to embody one of literature and cinema’s most ruthless villains in HBO Max’s upcoming Harry Potter adaptation. Since reports claimed the role had already been cast—though the actor’s name remains a mystery—Murphy was asked about it directly, and for the first time, he addressed the speculation.

Cillian Murphy Says He’s Not the One

Voldemort’s identity remains unknown. Most of the casting has been announced, including the main trio of heroes, but there’s been no reveal of who will play the infamous Dark Lord. During an appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Murphy dismissed the rumors in clear terms:

“No. Seriously. My children remind me of this sometimes, but I don’t know anything about it. Plus, it’s very difficult to follow in Ralph Fiennes’ footsteps. He’s a true legend of acting. So I wish the best of luck to whoever is going to take his place.”

With Murphy out of the running, theories are mounting about who could be stepping into the role. Speculated names include Matt Smith (House of the Dragon), Nicholas Hoult (Nosferatu), and Benedict Cumberbatch (Doctor Strange). For now, HBO continues to guard the secret closely. Some even suggest it might be an unknown actor—or, less likely, Ralph Fiennes reprising one of his most iconic performances.

Source: Collider