Harry Potter Director Reacts to HBO Series Images: “What’s the Point?”
According to CinemaDrame News Agency, Chris Columbus says that after seeing behind-the-scenes images from HBO’s Harry Potter series, he couldn’t help but ask: “What’s the point?” Columbus, who directed the first two Harry Potter films based on J.K. Rowling’s novels, had previously stated that he wanted no involvement with the series.
In a new interview on the podcast Rest is Entertainment, Columbus reacted specifically to photos of Hagrid (played by Nick Frost) and Harry (played by Dominic McLaughlin) taken in London.
He said: “I saw the pictures of Nick Frost as Hagrid and the new Harry Potter online. And [Frost] is wearing exactly the same costume we designed for Hagrid. Part of me thought: ‘What’s the point?’ I assumed everything [in the series], from the costumes to other things, would be different. It’s just the same again.”
Columbus continued: “For me, it’s an honor, because I think: that’s exactly the costume we designed for Hagrid. In one way, it’s exciting. I’m curious to see what they’ve done with it. But in another way, it’s déjà vu all over again.”
He added that he feels no “jealousy” toward the reboot: “I’ve completely moved on… I’ve always had a problem with the concept of multiples. When I made Gremlins and The Goonies—that’s why I didn’t make a Gremlins sequel.”
In a separate interview with Variety, Columbus commented on Rowling’s views about transgender people: “Sometimes I want to separate the artist from the art, I think that’s important. What happened is regrettable. I certainly don’t agree with what she says. But it’s sad, very sad.”
Rowling is an executive producer on the HBO series and, according to the network’s executives, will be directly involved in overseeing its production.
It was previously announced that Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton, and Alastair Stott will play Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley, replacing Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint. John Lithgow, Olivier Award winner, will play Albus Dumbledore; Oscar nominee Janet McTeer will play Minerva McGonagall; I May Destroy You actor Papa Essiedu will play Severus Snape; and Nick Frost (Shaun of the Dead) will play Rubeus Hagrid.
Additionally, Luke Tallon (Hamlet) has been cast as Quirinus Quirrell, Hogwarts’ first-year Defense Against the Dark Arts professor; BAFTA-winner Paul Whitehouse will play caretaker Argus Filch; Rory Wilmot as Neville Longbottom; Amos Kitson as Dudley Dursley; Louise Brisley as Madam Rolanda Hooch; and Anton Lesser as wandmaker Garrick Ollivander.
The Harry Potter series, written by Francesca Gardiner, will premiere on HBO Max in 2027.
