# Mr. Bean to play Lord Voldemort?!?! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 7, 2004, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-bean-to-play-lord-voldemort/223212 "2004-01-07T14:57:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Max\_Carnage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/max_carnage/32/12775_2.png) [@Max\_Carnage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Carnage)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2004, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-bean-to-play-lord-voldemort/223212/21 "2004-01-07T17:52:56Z")
I even misspelled it twice in my thoughts. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2004, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-bean-to-play-lord-voldemort/223212/22 "2004-01-07T18:26:10Z")
I wonder if they’ll bring Tony “Baldrick” Robinson in for Peter Pettigrew? My main disappointment with their casting was when Martin Short didn’t get the role of Lupin (not that he auditioned or had any interest in it to my knowledge, but he was who I cast when reading the book; ditto Eric Idle & Jennifer Saunders as Mr/s. Weasley). So far my favorite casting has been Jason Isaacs as Malfoy, who was far better than anyone I would have cast. ---
**Author:** ![Intaglio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/71e660/32.png) [@Intaglio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intaglio)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2004, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-bean-to-play-lord-voldemort/223212/23 "2004-01-07T18:33:01Z")
I was kind of hoping Ian Mckellan or Patrick Stewart as Voldermort. ---
**Author:** ![Doomtrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Doomtrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doomtrain)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2004, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-bean-to-play-lord-voldemort/223212/24 "2004-01-07T19:22:15Z")
He can be pretty scary, I think. If nothing else, he’s a great actor. But I don’t know if I’ll be able to get over my Blackadder/Mr. Bean… “Mr. V, sir, there’s some kid named ‘Potter’ here to see you.” “Just as I suspected. Baldrick, prepare my cauldron.” “Your cauldron, oh lord?” “Yes. I have a plan so cunning, you could put a phoenix on it and call it ‘Dumbledore!’” ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2004, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-bean-to-play-lord-voldemort/223212/25 "2004-01-07T19:53:19Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Sampiro \* > \*\*I wonder if they’ll bring Tony “Baldrick” Robinson in for Peter Pettigrew? > > My main disappointment with their casting was when Martin Short didn’t get the role of Lupin \*\* I believe one of the rules laid down by Ms. Rowling is that the cast of the movies must be ‘English’. Marting Short is from Canada so I don’t think he quite qualifies. I just hope they don’t make Voldemort a ‘comic villian’. That’s my worry. ---
**Author:** ![Kizarvexius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/da6949/32.png) [@Kizarvexius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kizarvexius)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2004, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-bean-to-play-lord-voldemort/223212/26 "2004-01-07T20:07:07Z")
The role of Peter Pettigrew went to Timothy Spall, who is a terrific actor. In fact, he’s the one I pictured in the role. Most of his work has been in Indie and art house type films, but he was the voice of Nick the Rat in _Chicken Run_. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2004, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-bean-to-play-lord-voldemort/223212/27 "2004-01-07T20:24:26Z")
I think this is great. Rowan Atkinson is a great actor who’s been stuck in horrible roles for way too long. Hopefully this will finally allow American audiences to see him in a good role. ---
**Author:** ![Oreo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/c57346/32.png) [@Oreo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oreo)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2004, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-bean-to-play-lord-voldemort/223212/28 "2004-01-07T20:25:53Z")
Hmmm… According to [this](http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/world/newsid_3376000/3376933.stm) article, this whole thing is just a rumor and Atkinson is not going to play Lord Thingy after all. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2004, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-bean-to-play-lord-voldemort/223212/29 "2004-01-07T20:34:53Z")
I would have never thought of Rowan Atkinson for Voldemort. Having never watched any of his works, other than the favorite snippet of him with a turkey stuck on his head, I would have never even considered him for the job. To be honest, I hadn’t even thought of anyone for the job, when I read the books. As for other character castings: **Sirius Black** I’ve always thought an emaciated Johnny Depp, who is far too pretty, but I can picture him easilydoing this. **Lupin** Has always been a tired Geoffrey Rush for me. Onlyhe is probably not the right age. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2004, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-bean-to-play-lord-voldemort/223212/30 "2004-01-07T20:56:56Z")
The Leaky Cauldron is also glad that it is only a rumor: > **[The-Leaky-Cauldron.org - Harry Potter News, Discussion, Fandom](http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/)** > > Harry Potter News, Discussion, Fandom ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2004, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-bean-to-play-lord-voldemort/223212/31 "2004-01-07T21:03:41Z")
[This](http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/world/newsid_3376000/3376933.stm) just in. > [@](#): > > Rowan Atkinson’s agent has spoken to Newsround Online denying rumours that he is set to play Lord Voldemort, or any other role, in the Harry Potter films. Hmmm. I wonder if he or the production company fed that rumor out there to get either support or feedback. So far everything I’ve read on this buzz is favorable. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2004, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-bean-to-play-lord-voldemort/223212/32 "2004-01-07T21:33:23Z")
I wonder if this is why Rowan’s been [depressed](http://entertainment.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4459,8275565%255E10431%255E%255Enbv,00.html)? ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2004, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-bean-to-play-lord-voldemort/223212/33 "2004-01-07T21:35:09Z")
Incidentally, his fiftieth birthday was this week. ---
**Author:** ![LabRat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/898d66/32.png) [@LabRat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LabRat)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2004, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-bean-to-play-lord-voldemort/223212/34 "2004-01-07T22:17:41Z")
**Eve** Hear Hear! ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2004, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-bean-to-play-lord-voldemort/223212/35 "2004-01-08T00:21:37Z")
Word to the wise: “Celebrity News” is not, strictly speaking, an IMDb feature. It’s a wire service to which IMDb subscribes, and is operated by [WENN](http://www.wenn.com/index1.html), which is basically part of the British tabloid circuit. And when it comes to British tabloids, their celebrity and movie news are barely half a step removed from outright fiction. Go back through their pages on IMDb, and you’ll see them report as fact such ridiculous nonsense as the slew of fake names for the last James Bond movie that circulated the Internet a while back, amid the obnoxious rumormongering about troubled celebrity affairs and other bullshit. Note the IMDb’s disclaimer at the bottom of the page: “The Internet Movie Database takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the articles above. The Celebrity News column is licensed from WENN and published for the entertainment of our users only. This column does not represent IMDb’s opinions nor can we guarantee that WENN’s reporting is completely factual. Please address any complaints regarding the content of this column to [imdb@wenn.com](mailto:imdb@wenn.com).” If you want to read reputable movie news, stay away from this page and stick to StudioBriefing. ---
**Author:** ![everton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecb155/32.png) [@everton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/everton)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2004, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-bean-to-play-lord-voldemort/223212/36 "2004-01-08T01:10:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by MissTake \* > I can see him as being truly frightening- in an old Monty Python movie, he did some bits and he can get this… _LOOK_ that is quite deranged. Which movie was that? ---
**Author:** ![rabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/919ad9/32.png) [@rabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rabbit)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2004, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-bean-to-play-lord-voldemort/223212/37 "2004-01-08T02:27:51Z")
actually Id like to say that I think Rowan Atkinson would make an AWSOME villain. Ive actually thought on many an occasion that he should be cast as such. If you have any doubts take a look at his work in Blackadder II (I think, the one where he has the beard, with the crazy queen). Now turn the volume off and just look at him. He just LOOKS evil. I mean nasty, cunning evil. He’d be brilliant. ---
**Author:** ![jeanster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9fc348/32.png) [@jeanster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jeanster)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2004, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-bean-to-play-lord-voldemort/223212/38 "2004-01-08T02:59:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Sampiro \* > \*\*Incidentally, his fiftieth birthday was this week. \*\* Umm, no. Actually he turned 49 this week. He was born in 1955 according to [this](http://us.imdb.com/name/nm0000100/). ---
**Author:** ![Astra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f14d63/32.png) [@Astra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Astra)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2004, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-bean-to-play-lord-voldemort/223212/39 "2004-01-08T05:18:13Z")
The rumor went around a few months ago. The IMDb news page often has interesting tidbits, but I take everything they say with a grain of salt. When I heard the story the first time, my immediate reaction was “What the hell?!?” But the more I thought about it, the more I thought he could do it. I have a feeling that the role of Voldy is one of those that I’ll have that reaction to no matter who is cast. After reading the books, I just can’t think of an actor who fits the image of twisted evil I have in my head. It’s going to be interesting when the role finally is cast. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2004, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-bean-to-play-lord-voldemort/223212/40 "2004-01-08T07:06:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Astra \* > **The IMDb news page often has interesting tidbits, but I take everything they say with a grain of salt.** What, am I talkin’ to the coffee table here? As I explained above, “StudioBriefing” is reputable, and “Celebrity News” is not. "StudioBriefing is collated by an actual journalist and will include a “corrections” item in editions following the occasional time it gets something wrong. “Celebrity Briefing” aka “People News” is collected and/or made up by celebrity-obsessed starfuckers who are too busy rushing to the next crumb of salacious scandal to worry about whatever falsehoods they might have propagated in their previous edition. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-bean-to-play-lord-voldemort/223212.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-bean-to-play-lord-voldemort/223212.md?page=3)