Chris Columbus, who directed the first two films in the saga, supports the project of series adaptation of JK Rowling’s works.
Chris Columbus, director of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secretsfinds the idea of a series adaptation of JK Rowling’s best-seller “fantastic”.
“I think it’s a fantastic idea because we are always limited when we make a film,” he declared in the columns of the magazine Peoplewhile HBO has planned to devote a season to each of the seven novels.
“Our film (Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone) was 2 hours 40 and the second (Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets) was also long”, he added, specifying that he had tried “to add as many things from the books as possible” into his films.
“Can’t wait to see the result”
The series Harry Potter aims to adapt as closely as possible the seven works of JK Rowling. Showrunner Francesca Gardiner wants to show more of the daily life of Hogwarts – and highlight Peeves, the poltergeist of Hogwarts.
“There will be all the things that we didn’t have the opportunity to put (in our films)… all these great scenes that we didn’t get to put in the films,” greets Chris Columbus. “I can’t wait to see the result. I think it’s great.”
-Filming on the series will begin next summer at Warner Bros. Studios. from Leavesden, north London. It is in these immense 50,000 m2 studios that the saga Harry Potter was filmed in the 2000s.
Casting not yet announced
Six months before the start of filming, the identity of the interpreters of Harry, Hermione and Ron has not yet been revealed. Francesca Gardiner revealed more than 32,000 children applied for the roles. HBO wants to bring together “an inclusive and diverse cast”.
The British comedian Especially Essieduseen in the series I May Destroy Youis considered for the role of Severus Snape. A name is also circulating for Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter’s mentor: Mark Rylance, Oscar winner for The Bridge of Spies.
The series is designed with the support of JK Rowlingdespite accusations of transphobia targeting her. HBO assured him of its support. The American channel plans a launch in 2027, i.e. 30 years after the publication of the first novel in the saga.
