Michael Cera Says He Doesn’t Have A ‘Franchise Resistance,’ But He Did Have A Keen Reason For Turning Down The Fantastic Beasts Franchise

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In the era dominated by sequels, reboots, and remakes in cinema, it’s striking when an actor hasn’t been part of any of these. Unlike many others, Michael Cera is one such actor who has not joined a multi-sequel franchise. Interestingly, it seems that he isn’t resistant to this format; instead, his decision might be influenced by other factors, as evidenced by his refusal to join the Fantastic Beasts series, a decision backed by a valid reason.

As a passionate film enthusiast, I recently sat down for a chat on The Louis Theroux podcast to discuss my upcoming cinematic ventures in 2025, namely the films The Phoenician Scheme and the remake of The Running Man. During our engaging conversation, we delved into various topics, and at one point, franchises were brought up. Reflecting on my filmography, I, Michael Cera, confessed to having a history with this type of movie but candidly admitted that I declined the opportunity to join the next major installment in the Harry Potter series after the 8-part saga concluded, explaining that I had chosen to move in a different direction.

As far as I recall, I’ve declined the opportunity for a franchise in the past. Specifically, it was the Fantastic Beasts spin-off from the Harry Potter series that I passed on.

It’s quite surprising to imagine Cera appearing in any storyline within the Harry Potter or Fantastic Beasts universe, as it seems rather unusual. However, after seeing him in Wes Anderson’s latest film at the age of 37, his role in The Phoenician Scheme makes me ponder about potential alternate paths for him in those magical worlds.

He talked about the sensible reasons for his decision, focusing on aspects such as scheduling, personal recognition, and the kind of viewers he’d be reaching.

It’s unclear if I was given the opportunity, but I believe I chose to avoid participating in it. My suspicion is that my decision stemmed from the prospect of a long-term commitment, perhaps around six years or so. Additionally, as we discussed previously, I intentionally opted to minimize my involvement and maintain some level of control. Furthermore, concerning children’s films, I harbored a significant apprehension about gaining too much notoriety.

It’s intriguing that he decided to forego the opportunity of becoming part of the legendary wizarding world. I suspect his reason might be due to turning 30 at the time and still feeling discouraged after completing Scott Pilgrim. If SPVTW had been released a decade later, it could have potentially shaped his entire career.

Cera wrapped up the discussion by mentioning that he’s become somewhat receptive to the idea of being part of a franchise now. If an ideal match presents itself, there’s no telling what might transpire! His words were:

It appears that my initial thoughts or feelings about something have shifted slightly. I believe I’ve moved past that specific emotion, but that’s what I felt at that moment in time. However, if a new franchise emerges and seems intriguing, I wouldn’t abandon work solely because it’s a franchise.

I’m delighted that he chose to act thoughtfully and follow his instincts. It promises excitement to see if he gets involved in something grand, possibly similar to the 2023 Mattel blockbuster. A year after its release, Cera still exuded a Barbie-like aura, suggesting that his luck might be turning around for him.

It’s uncertain when we might witness Cera in a major franchise, but I’m inclined to speculate that I’ll revisit the Fantastic Beasts series using my Max account, and contemplate what it could be like if he had accepted the offer.

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2025-06-24 22:38