Chris Columbus, director of the original Harry Potter films, hails the upcoming HBO series as a "spectacular idea," believing its episodic format will allow for a more faithful adaptation of the books.
In an interview with People, Columbus explained the limitations imposed by the films' shorter runtimes. While he and his team strove to include as much source material as possible in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, the constraints of a two-hour-plus film proved significant.
"I think it's a spectacular idea because there's a certain restriction when you're making a film," Columbus stated. He highlighted the extended runtime afforded by a series, saying, "The fact that they have the leisure of multiple episodes for each book... You can get all the stuff in the series that we didn't have an opportunity to do... All these great scenes that we just couldn't put in the films."
Announced in April 2023, the HBO series promises a detailed, "faithful adaptation" of the novels, aiming for greater depth than a feature film allows. Succession producers Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod (who also worked on Game of Thrones) are attached to direct and write.
Casting is underway for Harry, Hermione, and Ron. Regarding the Dumbledore role, Gary Oldman, who played Sirius Black, humorously suggested his age might be suitable, two decades after his Prisoner of Azkaban debut. However, reports indicate that Mark Rylance is a leading contender, maintaining the original films' emphasis on British actors—a decision perhaps influenced by J.K. Rowling's reported involvement in the casting process.
Production is expected to commence in Spring 2025, with HBO aiming for a 2026 release.
