Original Harry Potter Director Calls HBO Reboot a 'Spectacular Idea'

Chris Columbus, director of the first two Harry Potter films, has praised HBO's upcoming series as a "spectacular idea," believing its episodic format will allow for a more faithful adaptation of the books. He explained that the limitations of film runtimes prevented him from fully realizing the source material in Sorcerer's Stone and Chamber of Secrets. "We tried to get as much of the book in as possible," he told People, "but there was only so much we could do. Our film was two hours and 40 minutes, and the second one was almost as long." The series, he believes, will offer the "leisure" of multiple episodes per book, enabling the inclusion of scenes omitted from the films.

Announced in April 2023, the Harry Potter series promises a "faithful adaptation" with greater depth than a two-hour film allows. Succession producers Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod are attached to direct and write, the latter having also worked on Game of Thrones.

Casting is currently underway for Harry, Hermione, and Ron. Gary Oldman, who played Sirius Black, humorously suggested he's now the right age for Dumbledore, twenty years after his Prisoner of Azkaban debut. Mark Rylance is reportedly a top contender for the role, continuing the series' focus on British actors—a decision perhaps influenced by J.K. Rowling's reported involvement in casting.

Filming is expected to begin in spring 2025, aiming for a 2026 release on HBO.