Actor Paul Bettany has officially denied the widespread speculation linking him to the role of Lord Voldemort in HBO’s highly anticipated Harry Potter series. During an interview at the Saturn Awards, Bettany unequivocally stated that he is not currently in negotiations for the part and has not received any offers from HBO.
This clarification follows previous denials from other actors, including Cillian Murphy, who also dismissed rumors of his involvement, leaving fans to continue guessing who will ultimately portray the iconic Dark Lord in the upcoming adaptation.
HBO has remained tight-lipped regarding the casting of Voldemort. However, insider reports suggest that while an actor might be chosen to voice the character in the initial seasons, the full on-screen appearance of the Dark Lord is expected to occur later in the series, mirroring the progression seen in the original film saga where Voldemort’s physical presence became prominent from “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” onwards.
The premiere of the first season of the Harry Potter series is currently scheduled for the first half of 2027, though an exact release date has yet to be disclosed by the studio.