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While Lord Voldemort made several mistakes throughout his reign of terror in the Wizarding World, it’s hard to imagine that the actor behind the role also ventured on a similar route of career-changing mistake, when offered the role of the villain. According to Ralph Fiennes, he had almost made a magical blunder that could have left Voldemort as just a shadowy figure of speculation.
Ralph Fiennes as Lord Voldemort | image: Warner Bros.Back when the Dark Lord’s chilling presence was yet to be adapted onscreen, Ralph Fiennes was a Muggle to the world of Harry Potter, clueless about the series’ enchanting hold over fans. Therefore, when approached with the offer to play Voldemort in the films, Fiennes had almost turned down the role, until his family’s influence steered him towards the character, which forever changed his career.
Ralph Fiennes Had Almost Rejected the Harry Potter Offer
Dramatic as it might sound, Ralph Fiennes had nearly turned down one of the most iconic roles in modern cinema. When approached to play Lord Voldemort in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, the acclaimed actor being blissfully unaware of the magic that had captivated millions around the world, had nearly rejected the role.
Renowned for his roles in critically acclaimed films such as Schindler’s List and The English Patient, Ralph Fiennes had initially considered the offer in the Harry Potter franchise with a skeptical eye. Appearing on The Jonathan Ross Show (via Digital Spy), Fiennes thus explained why he almost passed on playing the iconic villain.
Fiennes as Lord Voldemort in the Harry Potter films | image: Warner Bros. The truth is I was actually ignorant about the films and the books. I was approached by the production. Mike Newell was directing the film that they wanted me to be in… the first time Voldemort was going to appear physically. Out of ignorance I just sort of thought, this isn’t for me… Quite stupidly I resisted, I was hesitant.
Despite Ralph Fiennes’ honest acknowledgment, it’s almost unfathomable for Potterheads to imagine a world where the Dark Lord’s signature snake-like appearance and chilling portrayal were played by someone else. So what exactly changed his mind and steered him towards the role of the iconic and timeless villain in the billion-dollar franchise?
Ralph Fiennes’ Young Relatives Ensured His Role as Voldemort
According to Ralph Fiennes, the surprising intervention came from his sister’s children, who swooped in like a well-timed Patronus, rescuing the actor from his own ignorance and ensuring that Voldemort got the chilling portrayal he deserved. Enlightening Fiennes with knowledge about J.K. Rowling’s magical franchise, Martha Fiennes’ kids steered him toward embracing the role that forever etched him as one of cinema’s most unforgettable villains.
For Ralph Fiennes, the turning point came not from a studio pitch or a star-studded event, but from a very personal and heartwarming source: his sister Martha’s children. With their ages ranging from 8 to 12 at the time, Fiennes’ niece and nephews were the ones who introduced the actor to the world of wizards and witches with an enthusiasm that he couldn’t ignore.
I think the clincher was that my sister Martha – who has three children who were then probably about 12, 10, and 8 – she said, ‘What do you mean? You’ve got to do it!’ So then I rewound my thinking.
Hero Fiennes Tiffin as young Tom Riddle | image: Warner Bros. The enthusiastic support from his sister’s kids came as a powerful reminder of the cultural impact that J.K. Rowling‘s books and the three Harry Potter films had already achieved, nudging Ralph Fiennes to reconsider his initial hesitation. Eventually, the actor not only played the Dark Lord in the films but also got one of his nephews, Hero Fiennes Tiffin to star in the franchise as the young Tom Riddle.
Harry Potter films are currently available to watch on Max.
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