For many actors, earning a spot in the Harry Potter franchise is a sure-fire way to get their name out there. But surprisingly, not everyone has wanted to be a part of the major franchise. It was revealed on Tuesday that Michael Cera turned down a Harry Potter role.
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The acclaimed actor has been in numerous amazing movies, from Juno (2007), Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010), Superbad (2007), and the most recent The Phoenician Scheme (2025). So why would he want to miss the chance at one of the biggest universes in the world?
Nearly 10 years after the release of the Fantastic Beasts movie, Michael Cera appeared on The Louis Theroux Podcast and explained that he actually turned down a chance to appear in the Harry Potter spinoff franchise. “I don’t think I have a franchise resistance,” the star said. “I did sort of make a conscientious choice to limit my exposure a little bit.”
He went on, saying, “I don’t even know if I was offered, I think I just declined to engage with it because – well, I think it would be like probably a six-year commitment or something.”
While he has been in numerous memorable films with iconic roles, he has talked about his fears. “And I felt like doing, especially little kids’ movies, I had a big fear of doing things that I would get too famous.” However, he expressed his growth, saying, “I think I’ve outgrown that particular feeling… If a franchise came along now and seemed interesting, I don’t think… I would leave the office.”
It’s surprising to see that Michael Cera turned down a Harry Potter role, or the chance to be a part of something so big, but it’s clear the actor is very protective of his image and career. He’s always been part of low-budget quirky comedies, giving himself close chances to major stardom. But he’s grown a lot, especially with his role in the most recent The Pheonician Scheme.
Hopefully, we can eventually see Cera in upcoming Harry Potter installments, whether it be the upcoming Harry Potter television show or others in the future.
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