Rumor: Warner Bros. Has a Favorite for Voldemort in the Harry Potter Series — And It’s Not Cillian Murphy

According to recent rumors, Warner Bros. already has a frontrunner for the role of the main villain in the upcoming Harry Potter reboot series for HBO Max — and it’s not Cillian Murphy.

Insider Daniel Richtman claims that the studio is eyeing Paul Bettany as their top pick to play Voldemort. As of now, no official offer has reportedly been made, and there’s been no confirmation from the studio.

The series will be a new adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s seven-book saga, with each season focusing on one book. The premiere is expected in early 2027, timed to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the release of “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.”

While the main cast has already been selected, the actor for the Dark Lord has yet to be announced. In the original films, Voldemort was portrayed by Ralph Fiennes.

Paul Bettany is best known for his work in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, where he voiced J.A.R.V.I.S. and played Vision. However, he’s no stranger to villainous roles, having played Dryden Vos in Solo: A Star Wars Story and Silas in The Da Vinci Code.

If the rumor turns out to be true, Bettany would join the already announced cast, which includes:

It’s expected that Voldemort will make only a brief appearance in the first season, with a more prominent role planned for around season four. For now, this is just speculation, but Bettany’s name is already generating plenty of buzz among fans.

What do you think — is Paul Bettany a good fit for Voldemort?