Ralph Fiennes is set to keep the ever-increasing role of Voldemort in the Potter films.

Director David Yates is starting filming for the Order of the Phoenix next month, though Fiennes will not be needed until September.

His eerie character is deeply evil but usually rarely seen – though the Daily Mail reports rumours that his role will be expanded in The Half-Blood Prince, set for production in 2007.

The last Potter book, as yet untitled by J. K. Rowling, is set to give an even bigger role to Voldemort. The Mail quotes a Hollywood executive: "The Voldemort plotline can't be left up in the air. There has to be this fantastic final confrontation between Harry and Voldemort that will finish off one of them, or both."

Fiennes has already been quietly approached to be in the last film, says the paper.