Cillian Murphy Shuts Down Rumors He's Playing Voldemort in “Harry Potter” Series, Says It'd Be 'Hard to Follow' Ralph Fiennes

After weeks of speculation, Cillian Murphy is mounting nan grounds consecutive connected those Harry Potter rumors.

The Irish character was asked by Josh Horowitz connected nan Happy Sad Confused podcast if location was immoderate truth to nan theories that he had been formed to play Lord Voldemort successful nan upcoming HBO Harry Potter TV series, which Murphy, 49, quickly unopen down.

"No," he said immediately. "I mean, no. Genuinely."

"My kids show maine connected occasions, but like, no. I don't cognize thing astir that," Murphy said of nan speculation that he was inheriting nan domiciled from Ralph Fiennes, who played He Who Shall Not Be Named successful nan original films.

Murphy didn't conscionable unopen down nan rumors, though. He besides reflected connected what large shoes nan character who does get formed has to fill.

"I mean, also, it's conscionable really difficult to travel thing Ralph Fiennes does," nan Oppenheimer prima said. "The man is an absolute acting legend, truthful bully luck to whoever is gonna capable those shoes."

While Murphy isn't taking nan domiciled successful nan series, which began accumulation successful July, he sewage Fiennes' stamp of support already.

Fiennes, 62, was asked by Andy Cohen connected Watch What Happens Live last December astir nan anticipation of Murphy playing Voldemort, to which Fiennes said, “That’s a awesome suggestion."

"I would beryllium each successful favour of Cillian, yeah," he said, calling Murphy "a awesome actor."

Chris Columbus was besides into nan thought of Murphy taking connected nan role. The filmmaker, who directed nan first 2 Harry Potter films successful 2001 and 2002, told PEOPLE successful January that the Irish character would beryllium an "amazing" choice to play nan iconic villain.

"Cillian is 1 of my favourite actors," he said.

While fans will person to hold to find retired who will return nan mantle from Fiennes successful nan series, a mostly of nan cast has been announced and writer J.K. Rowling is attached arsenic an executive producer.

Dominic McLaughlin will play Harry, pinch Alastair Stout and Arabella Stanton formed arsenic Ron and Hermione.

The Weasley clan will beryllium filled retired by twins Tristan and Gabriel Harland arsenic Fred and George, Ruari Spooner arsenic Percy and Gracie Cochrane arsenic Ginny, and Katherine Parkinson will play nan family's matriarch.

Rounding retired nan Hogwarts unit is John Lithgow arsenic Dumbledore, Janet McTeer arsenic Professor McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu arsenic Snape and Nick Frost arsenic Hagrid.

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The Harry Potter TV bid is slated to premiere successful 2027 connected HBO.