Original ‘Harry Potter’ Director Defends HBO TV Reboot as ‘Spectacular Idea’ Since There’s ‘All These Great Scenes We Just Couldn’t Put in the Films’

Original “Harry Potter” director Chris Columbus said in an interview with People magazine that remaking J.K. Rowling’s iconic book series as a television series for HBO is “a spectacular idea because there’s a certain restriction when you’re making a film.” Columbus directed 2001’s “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” and 2002’s “Chamber of Secrets.” Many fans have questioned the purpose of a TV reboot given the film franchise is pretty much perfect as is, but Columbus sees its worth.

“Our film was two hours and 40 minutes, and the second one was almost as long,” Columbus said. “The fact that they have the leisure of [multiple] episodes for each book, I think that’s fantastic. You can get all the stuff in the series that we didn’t have an opportunity to do … all these great scenes that we just couldn’t put in the films. I look forward to seeing what they’re trying to do with it. I think it’s great.”

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The plan for HBO’s “Harry Potter” television series is to have each season cover one of Rowling’s books. “Succession” alum Francesca Gardiner is the showrunner for the series, with Mark Mylod serving as a director and executive producer. The duo revealed last month that filming will begin in summer 2025, and 32,000 kids auditioned for the lead roles of Harry, Ron and Hermione. Mylod said at the time that the next steps would be to “workshop with some of our shortlisted candidates” in January.

Gardiner added that she was excited to “really dig into the character arcs” and explore Hogwarts more, including the lives of its staff. Mylod agreed that their intention was not to “undo what was done so brilliantly” with the movies, but to evolve it. 

The “Harry Potter” series was officially ordered at Max and HBO in April 2023. Variety revealed in November that “Bridge of Spies” Oscar winner Mark Rylance is at the top of the casting wishlist to play beloved Hogwarts headmaster Dumbledore. No casting for the series has been confirmed by HBO.