HBO Max is preparing a Harry Potter series that will reimagine the JK Rowling books that we already saw in the movies with Daniel Radcliffe, was it necessary?
The magical universe is as big as its creators want it to be, and from the looks of it, they prefer it not to be too big: Why is it a terrible idea for HBO Max to do a Harry Potter series?
For the most clueless muggles, this week it has been made public that Harry Potter will be a new HBO Max series in which we will see again the adventures of Harry, Ron and Hermione narrated in the stories of JK Rowling, one book per season.
Seven years in which we will review what happened in ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’, ‘Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets’, ‘Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban’, ‘Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire’, ‘ Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix’, ‘Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince’ and ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows’, the seven stories that gave rise to the eight films starring Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watsonfrom ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’ (Chris Columbus, 2001) to ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2’ (David Yates, 2011).
Against the Harry Potter remake
How small is the magical world of Harry Potter? Nervous to continue squeezing an intellectual property that had given them so much joy for a decade, At Warner they had a very good first idea with ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’ (David Yates, 2016)a prequel set in the same universe but which eliminated its main protagonists and antagonists.
Regardless of subsequent controversies, and that ‘Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald’ (David Yates, 2018) and ‘Fantastic Beasts: Dumbledore’s Secrets’ (David Yates, 2022) left much to be desired, the plan was really good. The movies expanded his universe well beyond Harry’s problems with Voldemort, he moved away from the walls of Hogwarts and did not touch the established until now, a collection of recent films that had captivated the public. He did right the first time what has cost Star Wars so much: separating from the Skywalker soap opera and escaping from Tatooine.
And it is that, as we pointed out when we talked about why it is unnecessary to make a remake of classics like ‘Vertigo’ and ‘Files X’, these reboots usually only work if they are not based on a highly established title and know how to behave as products with their own entitysomething that will hardly happen in the serial version of a saga adored by its acolytes that ended just twelve years ago.
In favor of the remake of Harry Potter
On the one hand, Don’t worry, the eight movies you love so much will still be there. No one is going to erase Daniel, Rupert and Emma, in the same way that trans people are not going to erase their respective genders. We can continue to enjoy Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, Richard Harris, Michael Gambon, Gary Oldman, David Thewlis, Robbie Coltrane, Brendan Gleeson and Helena Bonham Carter for as long as we want.
On the other hand, we are talking about a project that, if it goes wrong, it will force its producers to find another way to get our money from all this, rediscovering the infinite paths that leave the castle and getting closer to a more interesting project about the Marauders, about other magic schools in different countries or about the daily life of the Weasleys in an ‘Up and Down’ series. There are as many ideas as products you want to have.
And if it goes well, what we take with us.
Source: Fotogramas
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
