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SEPTEMBER 22, 2005 at 8:02 AM
Posted by GERI
Source: Sci-fi.com
According to Mike Newell, director of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Ralph Fiennes was cast
as Voldemort because he has the ability to play the character as a realistic and frightening villain and not as a simple caricature.
According to Newell:
You have to have the actor to do it. And Ralph was the actor to do it, because Ralph doesn't chew the scenery, and he isn't a sort of 19th-century melodrama figure. He's absolutely real and cold and chilling and absolutely dedicated to doing bad. And as soon as you have that, you can do it.
Newell and Fiennes had to ask some simply questions about Voldemort's motivation:
What does he want? Why does he want to come back? What sort of a person is he that he wants to come back? What sort of a person is it who wants to impose a reign of evil? Does somebody who wants to impose a reign of evil actually see that it's evil? Or is it in fact for them a kind of good? So there was a lot of that stuff, which is the sort of thing that you discuss with an actor when he's getting to really concentrate on the part. And that was all very, very profitable.
Newell also gives his reasoning as to why he hasn’t yet read Half-Blood Prince.
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226-249
Prefect
Points: 331
cckeimig says:
Considering what a great villain the man has played in other films (e.g. Amon in Schindler's List, for one), I'd say he's marvelous at playing slimy, evil bad guys.
Posted Sep 22, 2005 at 9:52 PM EST
Mediwitch
Points: 2608
nickyole1 says:
I am so excited to see Raplh Fiennes as Voldemort. I can tell he is going to do an absolute wonderful job. I can't wait for November!
Posted Sep 22, 2005 at 9:54 PM EST
Hogwarts Valedictorian
Points: 2807
Lily*R/Hr says:
He's a great choice for Voldemort, I can't wait to see the movie!
Posted Sep 22, 2005 at 10:02 PM EST
Seer
Points: 15207
Brittany Radcliffe says:
i think Ralph is going to be awesome as portraying Voldemort. i bet every actor has it deep down in them to act truly evil. i think he'll be aight with that part.
Posted Sep 22, 2005 at 10:08 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2256
Harry Houdini says:
It looks like they are researching the Voldermort part the right way, by asking all the right questions about him. I expect Fiennes to do a great job in the role of Voldermort.
Posted Sep 22, 2005 at 10:08 PM EST
Singularly Gifted Witch
Points: 5157
Medea says:
I have never doubted Fiennes' ability to do Voldemort justice! (And yes it was Schindler's list that did it for me.) I'm glad to see they really tried to grasp and understand the essence of Voldemort's character.
Posted Sep 22, 2005 at 10:50 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2231
Harry's Detour says:
I think Ralph Fiennes is a great choice. He will really bring Voldy to life (not that we want that). But I'm sure it will be absolutely terrifying! Can't wait!
Posted Sep 22, 2005 at 10:51 PM EST
Vader's Veela
Points: 3858
seekerfan says:
undisputed760 - I should have kept my opinion to myself. Having a bad day. It just irritated me. Sorry.
Posted Sep 22, 2005 at 11:08 PM EST
Mrs. Ronald Weasley
Points: 2606
hplover234 says:
Ralph Fiennes is going to do a great job.
He was really good in Shinlers List (I totally spelled that wrong). I think if you deicated and focus on what your doing you can do anything. He wanted to be bad, so he will be bad.
Posted Sep 22, 2005 at 11:11 PM EST
I'm Daniel's Everything
Points: 4009
KissMeInTheRain says:
I think that the darkness is going to work for this movie! I sure can't wait to see it!
Posted Sep 22, 2005 at 11:33 PM EST
Hogwarts Psychologist
Points: 4236
Patronus Wiz says:
When I heard Ralph Fiennes was cast as Voldemort, I thought PERFECT! I think he is going to be absolutely superb in the role. Everything about him screams Voldemort!
Posted Sep 22, 2005 at 11:36 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 787
Beyondfreedom3 says:
Did you see Ralph Fiennes in Dragon? That should convince anyone that he can play evil...pure evil. He is a great actor, and I am sure will do very well in this part.
Posted Sep 22, 2005 at 11:37 PM EST
Squib
Points: 171
Lavender_Brown06 says:
I'm sure he was okay. He haves to be okay. You know?
Posted Sep 22, 2005 at 11:42 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1780
TheOtherMinister says:
He's a really good actor. I did saw him in red dragon and he was frightening. How can someone star reading a Harry Potter book and not continue reading the rest?
Posted Sep 22, 2005 at 11:45 PM EST
Witch
Points: 778
stillDUMBLEDORESgirl says:
It sounds like Ralph really knows how to play an evil character. I can't wait to see him actutally playing Voldemort in the movies.
Posted Sep 22, 2005 at 11:47 PM EST
Substitute Chosen One
Points: 3021
Mr Fishbein says:
GoF is by far my favourite book so far, so I cant wait to see the movie. I cant see how Mike has restrained himself from HBP though.
Posted Sep 22, 2005 at 11:50 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 468
Laura_Granger says:
I can't wait to see how he played Voldemort, or VOLDY!
Posted Sep 23, 2005 at 12:01 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 468
Laura_Granger says:
I hope he did his best cause I was thinking he'd be great! Toodles!!!
--Laura--
Posted Sep 23, 2005 at 12:03 AM EST
Squib
Points: 167
Jeanie says:
Those questions they asked for Voldermort's character are all asking "what is Voldermort's Objective" They always asked "what is your ovjective" in acting.
Posted Sep 23, 2005 at 12:06 AM EST
Squib
Points: 102
Polisha says:
I'm really glad to see this, i was really hoping Voldemort would be frightening and real and evil, not like a cartoon character, i really like the thought they put into it and that they forgot about 5 year-old kids watching, hehehe...looking forward to the movie
Posted Sep 23, 2005 at 12:09 AM EST
Cryptologist
Points: 3015
Veronica Smethley says:
Yes, I think all the cast has done their best in the movie!
Can't wait! Accio Nov 18!
Posted Sep 23, 2005 at 12:17 AM EST
Crookshanks Caretaker
Points: 3836
hermionefan1 says:
Man i can't believe he hasn't read the new HP book. Oh well at least he has read most and the article is good.
Posted Sep 23, 2005 at 1:03 AM EST
Student
Points: 252
FoolofaTook says:
I hope he does a good job. It would be really hard to play one of the most villianous characters that I can remember and be able to pull it off.
Posted Sep 23, 2005 at 1:13 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2465
undisputed760 says:
seekerfan - its cool I was having a bad day too thanks for apolgizing, i just wanted to make someones day.
Posted Sep 23, 2005 at 1:20 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1059
.:harrylover:. says:
I think he was a goood choise, but i cant tell anything fore sure untill i see the movie. But now i'm used to the tought that he is Voldemort. And you have got to be good to play Voldermort!
Posted Sep 23, 2005 at 1:48 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 415
minerva1021 says:
Newell is grateful that he is only doing one film!? How ludicris!!! And he hasn't read the other books!! Outrageous!! If you are going to make a movie based on some of the most popular books ever written, I think it should only be obvious that you should be entirely versed in the series. I really hope he hasn't screwed anything up by being lazy.
Posted Sep 23, 2005 at 2:04 AM EST
226-249
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