Recasting The Harry Potter Movies If They Came Out Today
3. Lord Voldemort – Benedict Cumberbatch
Ralph Fiennes’ performance as Voldemort was a mixed bag. He was completely brilliant at times, but he also came over as amusing in a few scenes. (The moment he hugged Draco Malfoy is an obvious example.)
Benedict Cumberbatch may seem like a strange choice given he usually plays heroes not villains. (He’s known around the world for playing the world’s most iconic sleuth in BBC’s Sherlock.) Yet he’s such a versatile actor he would be more than capable of portraying the Dark Lord. Whilst his deep voice doesn’t fit with Rowling’s original description, Cumberbatch has a powerful dramatic presence which would be ideal for Harry’s arch-nemesis.
His performance as the primary antagonist in J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek sequel, for instance, carried plenty of intensity, and the same can be said of his voice performance in The Hobbit Trilogy. And though his knack for great line deliveries could be used for a number of Harry Potter characters, his considerable talents are best suited to the role of Lord Voldemort.