‘I Was Resistant.’ It Was Not So Easy To Get Ralph Fiennes To Join Harry Potter, So How Was He Convinced?

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Ralph Fiennes has a substantial number of well-known films in his repertoire, such as “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” “The Menu,” and more recently, the Academy Award-nominated film “Conclave.” However, it’s undeniable that one of Fiennes’ finest portrayals can be found in the “Harry Potter” series where he took on the role of the malevolent Lord Voldemort. Despite his esteemed work within the Wizarding World, it was revealed that Fiennes initially showed reluctance towards becoming a part of the “Potter” cast. Eventually, someone successfully persuaded him to change his mind.

At the Santa Barbara International Film Festival (as reported by THR), the British actor recently shared that he wasn’t very familiar with Harry Potter prior to portraying Voldemort. Interestingly, many of the Harry Potter actors hadn’t read J.K. Rowling’s books or watched the fantasy film series beforehand. Ralph Fiennes didn’t elaborate on why he wasn’t eager to play He Who Must Not Be Named, but he did mention a humorous plea from his sister that caught his attention.

Initially, I was hesitant, but when I shared with my sister Martha that I’d been asked to portray the character of Voldemort, she exclaimed, “Voldemort? You’ve been asked to play Voldemort? This is your chance! You don’t understand, you don’t understand. This is the role! It’s the perfect part! It’s the villain! It’s everything! Everything revolves around Voldemort!” I responded, “Alright, I’m on board.

If someone close to you is persuading you strongly about something, it’s likely there’s some merit in their argument, don’t you think? Reflecting on today’s perspective, it would have been a great loss if Ralph Fiennes had declined the offer to play Voldemort. As a fan, it’s hard for me to envision another actor who could have portrayed the role as flawlessly as the Tony Award-winning Fiennes did. He brought the Wizarding World’s antagonist to life in an awe-inspiring manner, capturing his terrifying demeanor, soft-spoken voice, and peculiarities. Notably, he donned tights for flexibility while playing the role, demonstrating his dedication (and prioritizing comfort).

It’s fascinating that following his Oscar nomination, the actor who portrayed the dark lord in five Harry Potter films developed a strong attachment to the role. For example, he previously admitted he wanted only himself to play Voldemort in the Fantastic Beasts movies, despite those being prequels and potentially requiring another actor for the part. However, considering his past work in Strange Days, it’s understandable that he still identifies with the villainous character. I must say, it’s heartening to see him maintaining a connection to the role.

Luckily for today’s Harry Potter enthusiasts, HBO is developing a TV series based on the entire seven-book saga. Notably, Ralph Fiennes, who played Voldemort in the films, seems open to a reimagining of the classic story. In fact, he has suggested Cillian Murphy from the film “Oppenheimer” as his top pick for the role of Voldemort. Given Murphy’s piercing eyes and talent for portraying chilling characters, many fans agree that he would make an excellent choice to step into the shoes of the Elder Wand’s wielder.

I’m greatly appreciative of Ralph Fiennes’ sibling for persuading him to accept the role of Voldemort, as her influence led to an extraordinary performance that has left audiences spellbound. Without her, we might not have witnessed the chilling, unforgettable portrayal by Fiennes that still garners critical acclaim. You can catch this Golden Globe nominee causing chaos as Lord Voldemort in the Harry Potter films using a Max subscription or a Peacock subscription.

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2025-02-09 22:07