Ralph Fiennes has played several villainous characters throughout his career. But fans remember only one thing: He Who Must Not Be Named.
In an interview at the premiere of the New York horror comedy The Menu, the actor said he would play Lord Voldemort again. This is if Warner Bros. and J.K. Rowling created another installment in the Harry Potter film series.
“No question about it,” Fiennes said in an interview with Variety.
Fiennes’ comments come after the head of Warner Bros. Discovery’s David Zaslav has revealed he intends to do more Potter projects with Rowling. The author has been criticized for her transphobic remarks.
“We’re going to have a real focus on franchises,” Zaslav stated. “We haven’t had a Superman movie in 13 years. We haven’t done a Harry Potter movie in 15 years.”
According to Zaslav, DC’s movies and the Potter series have come a long way over the past few decades.
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Supports Rowling
Despite Rowling’s controversy, Fiennes expressed support for the author. He also described the “verbal abuse” she was inflicted on as “appalling.”
“J.K. Rowling has written these great books about empowerment, about young children finding themselves as human beings,” he shared with The New York Times. “It’s about how you become a better, stronger, more morally centered human being. The verbal abuse directed at her is disgusting; it’s appalling.”
He added: “I can understand a viewpoint that might be angry at what she says about women, but it’s not some obscene, uber-right-wing fascist.
“It’s just a woman saying, ‘I’m a woman, and I feel I’m a woman. And I want to be able to say that I’m a woman.’ And I understand where she’s coming from. Even though I’m not a woman.”
Previously, he also came in Rowling’s defense, dubbing the hatred for the Potter author “irrational.”
In 2020, many widely criticized Rowling when she posted a tweet about gender identity and biological sex. But, she said, “erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives.”
GLAAD and many other LGBTQ+ organizations and allies said her remarks were inaccurate and cruel.
Moreover, Harry Potter actors Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson voiced their stand against Rowling. The two said transgender women are women.
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Fiennes Work
Fiennes has received numerous accolades such as a Tony Award, a BAFTA Award, two Academy Award nominations and an Emmy Award.
He debuted in the film industry in Emily Brontes Wuthering Heights (1992) as Heathcliff. Moreover, his portrayal of Nazi criminal Amon Goth in 1993’s Schindler’s List gained him Academy Award and Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
Ultimately, he bagged the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.
Additionally, in 1996’s The English Patient role, Count Almasy earned him the second Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. It also brought nominations for BAFTA and Golden Globe.
Films Fiennes starred in:
1990s
Quiz Show (1994)
The End of the Affair (1999)
2000s
Maid in Manhattan (2002)
The Constant Gardener (2005)
In Bruges (2008)
The Duchess (2008)
The Hurt Locker (2009)
2010s
Clash of the Titans (2010)
Great Expectations (2012)
The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
A Bigger Splash (2015)
Hail, Caesar! (2016)
2020s
The King’s Man (2021)
The Menu (2022)
Photo: Immediate
