“I had a big fear.” The well-liked actor turned down a role in the Harry Potter universe in a $816M movie

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Participating in a significant franchise derived from a much-adored series is often the fulfillment of an actor’s dream; however, it can also be off-putting due to the fame associated with being part of such a large production. Interestingly, this wasn’t the case for Michael Cera, who passed on the opportunity to vie for a role in the ‘Fantastic Beasts’ series within the Harry Potter universe.

On The Louis Theroux Podcast, Michael Cera discussed his previous avoidance of franchises. Coincidentally, this was when they were searching for actors for “Fantastic Beasts”. He had a chance to join the film series, but declined as he didn’t wish to commit himself to the long-term project at that particular moment in time.

As a fan, I can relate to what you’re saying. I don’t believe I harbor any franchise resistance per se, but when it comes to the Harry Potter universe, specifically Fantastic Beasts, I did decline an opportunity that came my way once. Honestly, I’m not sure if it was even offered; I just chose not to engage with it due to the long-term commitment involved, likely six years or more. Moreover, as we discussed earlier, I’ve made a deliberate effort to limit my involvement in projects and maintain some control over my exposure.

Moreover, the actor showed no interest in the celebrity that would result from joining the Harry Potter movie franchise, which enjoys immense global popularity. The initial Fantastic Beasts film, too, was a hit, raking in approximately $816 million globally (as reported by BoxOfficeMojo).

I found myself drawn to creating content, particularly children’s films, but harbored a considerable apprehension about becoming overly recognized for my work.

I was quite keen on working on kid-friendly movies, but I had this nagging worry that my fame would grow too much if I did so.

However, Cera confessed that his approach to franchises has now changed somewhat.

I believe there’s been a slight shift. I feel like I’ve moved past that specific emotion. However, that was likely what I was experiencing at that moment. If a new franchise appeals to me now, I wouldn’t abandon my work based solely on it being a franchise; I wouldn’t rush out of the office in a frenzy or anything like that.

It’s uncertain what part Michael Cera could have taken in the “Fantastic Beasts” series, but considering it would require several years of commitment, it would likely have been a significant role. The lead character of this series is Newt Scamander, portrayed by Eddie Redmayne.

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2025-07-01 14:02