Chris Columbus has taken a stance against J.K. Rowling and, in turn, Harry Potter. The director of the first two Harry Potter films, and producer of the third, has zero interest in joining HBO’s upcoming small-screen reboot.
“No, I’ve done it, you saw my version,” Columbus told Variety during a London visit promoting his Netflix film Thursday Murder Club. “There’s nothing left for me to do in the world of Potter.”
What HBO’s Series Can Do Differently
Despite having no interest in joining in, Columbus is far from critical of the reboot. In fact, he sees it as an opportunity to explore storylines the films simply couldn’t fit in.
“With the first and second and third book, we wanted to do it all,” he said. “We [just] didn’t have the opportunity.”
Draco Malfoy talks to Harry Potter – YouTube, TODAY
He pointed to Peeves, the mischievous poltergeist from the first book, who never made it onto screen, and a tense sequence where Harry and Hermione must drink potions while worrying they may be poisoned. Scenes like these, Columbus believes, will finally get their moment on the small screen.
“There’s a sense of excitement that they can bring all those scenes to life,” he said, noting that seeing Nick Frost as Hagrid and Dominic McLaughlin as Harry shooting in London gave him a nostalgic deja vu. “It was exactly where we were 20 years ago! It’s amazing to see a new generation bring these characters to life in ways we could only imagine.”
Pride in the Original Cast
Columbus also reflected on the original cast’s journey, particularly Daniel Radcliffe. Drawing from his experience on Home Alone, he said protecting young actors was a top priority.
“We knew the eyes of the world would be on these three kids… thankfully they had wonderful parents who helped them deal with what I can’t even imagine the pressures are of suddenly your face being everywhere,” he said.
Kenneth Branagh as Gilderoy Lockhart and Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002), Warner Bros. Pictures
Watching Radcliffe grow into a Tony Award-winning actor brought Columbus enormous pride.
“Seeing him on stage, seeing how incredibly talented he is as a musical comedic actor, was just very moving for me,” he added. Columbus also praised Emma Watson and Rupert Grint for their continued careers, noting that each actor’s growth made him “so proud to have been part of their journey.”
Chris Columbus On J.K. Rowling
Chris Columbus also addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, whose comments on gender issues have drawn widespread criticism. He emphasized separating art from artist while expressing sadness over the situation.
Author J.K. Rowling reads from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone at the Easter Egg Roll at White House. Screenshot taken from official White House video. Photo Credit: Executive Office of the President, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
“I like to sometimes separate the artist from the art… It’s unfortunate, what’s happened. I certainly don’t agree with what she’s talking about. But it’s just sad, it’s very sad,” Columbus said.
He also hinted that seeing all the little details, long omitted from the films, finally get their moment may be “thrilling for audiences old and new alike.”
Damn, dirty, fence sitter. Saying all the right things because if he doesn’t his project will be a critical failure. Forget what the viewers want, only the RT critics count!
I get that the originals started ‘purt near thirty years ago but they just don’t feel ‘old’ to me. And, Alan Rickman, c’mon. Why would I want this refuse? Does anyone?