Cillian Murphy denies Voldemort casting rumors in HBO series

Cillian Murphy on Thursday dismissed fan speculation that he will portray Lord Voldemort in HBO’s forthcoming Harry Potter television series, saying he has no knowledge of the casting and that online rumors come to his attention only when his children point them out. Murphy made the comments on the Happy Sad Confused podcast as the franchise prepares to return to screens in a multiseason adaptation beginning with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.

"No, my kids show me it occasionally, but no, I don't know anything about that," Murphy said, adding that following in the footsteps of Ralph Fiennes would be daunting. "It is just really hard to follow anything Ralph Fiennes does. The man is an absolute acting legend. So, good luck to whoever is going to fill those shoes," he said on the podcast.

Fans and at least one alumnus of the film series have pushed the idea of Murphy in the role. Fiennes, who played the adult Voldemort in five of the eight Harry Potter films, previously called Murphy "a fantastic actor" and said he would welcome the suggestion. Those endorsements, and widespread online casting wish lists, have fueled speculation even as Murphy and HBO have offered no...