As a gamer with a deep appreciation for cinema and its intricate behind-the-scenes stories, I can’t help but feel a twinge of what-could-have-been nostalgia upon learning that James McAvoy almost graced our screens as Tom Riddle in the early Harry Potter films.
Actor James McAvoy boasts an extensive portfolio with films like the X-Men series, romantic dramas such as Atonement and Becoming Jane, and horror movies including Split and IT: Chapter 2 on his resume. Despite this diverse range, he has yet to venture into the Harry Potter universe, unlike many other British actors. Interestingly, it was revealed that McAvoy was once offered a significant sum to join the franchise but ultimately declined. Now, he’s discussing his potential role and the reasons behind his decision.
The distinguished actor recently chatted with Josh Horowitz on the “Happy, Sad, Confused” podcast, where they delved into his praised horror film “Speak No Evil” and other topics. When queried about any specific genre or franchise he’d be interested in joining, he remained undecided. However, an intriguing tidbit emerged: he almost took on a significant role in the early “Harry Potter” films during his acting beginnings, possibly portraying one of the antagonists in one of the series’ initial installments.
I was nearly in Harry Potter. Almost, yeah. I can probably say this one. The very first movie, I think it was… who is the… is it Tom Riddle in the first one, yeah? But he’s like in it for like a scene in a flashback or something like that? And they had — I simply remember it was right at the beginning of my career. I auditioned for it. I think they wanted to put me on a retainer, and they offered me something like — it was crazy, I’d hardly done any work. And me and I think maybe 10 other actors or something like that — they wanted to put us on a retainer so that they could hold us and keep us to choose later who it would be.
From what I gather, it looks like the actor under discussion was initially considered for the role of Tom Marvolo Riddle (later known as Lord Voldemort) during his youth, in the second movie of the Potter series, titled The Chamber of Secrets. However, it was Christian Coulson who ended up playing this role in the 2002 film. Later on, Frank Dillane stepped into the part of teenage Tom Riddle in the 2009 movie, Half-Blood Prince.
As a devoted fan, I can’t help but feel that the character hidden behind the Glass star could have had a more substantial role than what was shown. If he had been cast, he would have played a crucial part right in the heart of the story – when Harry Potter delved into Riddle’s diary, uncovering a distorted reflection of the past. Not only that, but in the climactic third act, he would have stood shoulder to shoulder with Harry as they faced off against Riddle within the iconic Chamber.
For the part, the remuneration was substantial, and James McAvoy deemed it a sizable amount, given that he hadn’t accumulated numerous acting credits at the time. In the YouTube video, he mentioned this as follows:
In simpler terms, the situation was quite unusual, and they were ready to pay a substantial amount. To me, considering my circumstances then, it felt like an enormous sum. It was roughly around £40,000, and I had put in minimal effort.
It’s not surprising that the studio offered a substantial amount of money to the up-and-coming actor in the Harry Potter movies. However, there was a catch – James McAvoy would be bound to the studio for a certain period due to being on retainer. This meant he couldn’t work on other projects during that timeframe. When his agent learned about this, she expressed her thoughts clearly: at the moment, it wasn’t an ideal situation for him.
In simpler terms, I hadn’t done much work, and I anticipated being unable to work for approximately seven months. I asked my agent what she thought about this, to which she responded firmly, ‘No way! Don’t do that.’ She then suggested we explore other opportunities instead. Ruth Young, who has been my agent for 24 or 25 years, was the one who said this.
Why Does Voldemort Want To Kill Harry Potter?
In another role, James McAvoy took part in a play performance, where he disclosed encountering boos from intolerant audience members due to their homophobic attitudes. However, beyond the unpleasant spectators, McAvoy expressed that participating in a stage production was a valuable learning opportunity for him as an actor. In his own words, this job broadened his understanding and capabilities as a performer. Though it didn’t bring the same financial success as his work on Harry Potter, it seems to have been beneficial for his career growth.
The former student from “Wanted” has grown into a prominent figure who might plausibly join the Wizarding World should he choose to do so. A new “Harry Potter” series is underway at Max, and it’s possible that James McAvoy could be an excellent match for either one of the Marauders or peculiar professors. His acting abilities are truly versatile, making him a strong candidate for any role he decides to tackle in the future.
In theaters across the country right now, you have the opportunity to watch James McAvoy in his newest film titled “Speak No Evil“. If you’re a fan of the Harry Potter series, you can rewatch the movie franchise by subscribing to Max. To stay updated on upcoming movies hitting theaters and streaming platforms soon, be sure to check out our 2024 movie release schedule.
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2024-09-14 21:37