Harry Potter to Get New Reboot
HBO Max released an official video announcement via YouTube on April 12 teasing a new Harry Potter original series. The video, although brief, has sparked many contrasting opinions amongst fans of J.K. Rowling’s fantastical groundbreaking series. HBO Max, which will be changing its name to Max beginning in May, captioned their video with, “Your Hogwarts letter is here. Max has ordered the first ever #HarryPotter scripted television series, a faithful adaptation of the iconic books. #StreamOnMax.” The show is set to air in 2025. Comments on the video were turned off, possibly for a good reason.
The announcement has already gathered a negative reaction from fans, including rumors of a potential boycott of the show. The boycott stems from Rowling’s involvement in the show’s production. She will serve as an executive producer alongside Neil Blair and Ruth Kenley-Letts. Rowling has been criticized throughout the years for her views on gender and sexual identity.
Rowling posted a tweet on Friday responding to the criticism. “Dreadful news, which I feel duty bound to share. Activists in my mentions are trying to organize yet another boycott of my work, this time of the Harry Potter TV show. As forewarned is forearmed, I have taken the precaution of laying in a large stock of champagne.”
Deadline reports that the show plans on running for 10 years, taking on one book per season. Per Deadline, CEO and Chairman of HBO Max Casey Bloys says, “This new Max Original series will dive deep into each of the iconic books that fans have continued to enjoy for all of these years.” The beloved original movie adaptations have become something of cult classics to many people young and old, but they were still missing some elements of the books. Perhaps fans will see Peeves the Poltergeist come to life in Max’s rendition of the books, as well as many other story arcs left out from the movies. Bloys also assures fans that it will be “a faithful adaptation.”
No further information has been released, and fans wait anxiously for a cast list to drop. Many hope for cameos of the original cast, or even some taking on larger roles such as Tom Felton, the actor behind Draco Malfoy, being suggested to play Lucious Malfoy, Draco’s father.