Harry Potter: How the Reboot Can Build a Better Wizarding World Franchise

As a die-hard fan of all things magical since my days at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (okay, it was only a dream), I can’t help but feel a mix of excitement and trepidation as I read through this article. The prospect of revisiting the wondrous world of Harry Potter on the small screen again is truly enchanting, much like a well-stirred Felix Felicis potion.

Warner Bros. Discovery is revisiting the Harry Potter novels anew, this time transforming them into a television series, and it’s difficult not to speculate that they won’t explore other avenues beyond this. The Wizarding World franchise continues to be one of the most profitable intellectual properties, and the company has consistently poured resources into its growth. There are numerous possibilities for how the upcoming Harry Potter series might pave the way for new spin-offs.

Warner Bros. started considering plans for a TV show based on the “Harry Potter” series back in January 2021. The project moved into production in April 2023, and in February 2024, WBD confirmed that the show had been given the go-ahead. It’s scheduled to debut in 2026 on HBO and Max. This new adaptation aims to retell J.K. Rowling’s seven “Harry Potter” books, which were previously turned into eight films from 2001 to 2011. The series could significantly broaden the Wizarding World as many fans envision it due to its potential for longer and more detailed storytelling compared to the movies.

A More Faithful Adaptation

Harry Potter, arguably the most renowned fantasy novel adaptation to date, may not live up to its reputation for accuracy to the original books. The films omitted significant elements such as characters, plotlines, and world-building details that were crucial to the stories’ development. By more thoroughly adapting the books in the upcoming HBO Original series, there is potential to significantly grow the franchise and provide a complete storyline for many fans who have yet to experience it in its entirety.

It’s more likely for a series to have the opportunity to delve deeper into complex narratives compared to movies due to their extended run time. For instance, the TV adaptation of “The Prisoner of Azkaban” could explore the history of the Marauders, potentially including flashback sequences showing young James Potter, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew together. Contrastingly, the third movie failed to explain that the Marauders learned to transform into Animagi in order to assist Lupin with his werewolf transformations.

Two other significant instances are found in “Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire”. In the film adaptation, it omits the major unveiling that Rita Skeeter (Miranda Richardson) is an unauthorized Animagus, and that she often acquires her sensational news by shape-shifting into a bug and blending inconspicuously among people. Additionally, the climactic surprise towards the end is altered; in the movie, viewers are led to think Barty Crouch Jr. (David Tenant) merely escaped from Azkaban Prison, neglecting to mention that his mother disguised herself as him in his cell while his father and house elf helped orchestrate his secret exit.

Reintroducing these storylines won’t just extend the series and fill in gaps; it will also create opportunities for follow-ups. For quite some time now, fans have been eagerly speculating about a Marauders prequel, but if these stories are presented here, it might encourage the studio to take notice and consider production.

Quidditch

Discussing aspects that might receive increased focus in the show, this upcoming adaptation is expected to devote significantly more scenes to the magical game known as Quidditch. Given the existing enthusiasm for the sport, it could be an excellent opportunity to further develop the franchise. Intriguingly, real-life Quidditch (renamed quadball in 2022) has garnered a substantial fanbase, with global tournaments managed by the International Quadball Association (IQA). With increased screen time in a series, this sport could experience a significant growth spurt.

Initially, the Harry Potter films included extensive Quidditch scenes, but as the story progressed, the sport was only depicted when crucial to the plot. This reduction of minor teen drama made it suitable for an HBO series. In fact, Quidditch might continue to be a significant element up until Season 6, potentially leading to spin-offs focusing on the sport with both real and fictional matches. J.K. Rowling’s supplementary book, “Quidditch Through the Ages,” could provide valuable content for such spin-offs.

Cursed Child

A potential method for expanding the Harry Potter franchise could involve creating a movie based on “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” which is a follow-up to the books, initially presented as a play on stage. The script was penned by Jack Thorne, who collaborated with J.K. Rowling and John Tiffany in developing this story for the screen.

19 years have passed since the events of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” so an immediate adaptation following the end of the series wouldn’t be feasible without some adjustments. One solution could involve using makeup and CGI to make the actors appear older. Another intriguing possibility is bringing back the original cast to play their characters as they have aged. Regardless of the approach, it seems like a logical move for Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) to bring this story to the big screen.

Fantastic Beasts

As of now, it appears that WBD may have ceased production on their intended prequel series, “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” originally planned as a five-part series written by J.K. Rowling. Though three films were produced, there might be a potential revival or remake in the future. It remains uncertain whether fans would be keen enough to complete this story arc.

Hogwarts Legacy

The smash hit “Hogwarts Legacy” from last year might inspire Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) to bring its storyline to the big screen as well. Such a project could be challenging since players can customize their own journey, making each experience distinct. Yet, it sets a fresh environment by taking place in Hogwarts during the late 1800s, which is approximately a century before the main series’ events. This timeframe introduces new characters and aspects of the world, offering a screenwriter ample material to explore.

Boycotts

It’s important to acknowledge the significant problems with each of these plans and the hurdles this franchise might encounter in the future. In recent times, many fans have attempted to disassociate from the Harry Potter series following J.K. Rowling’s vocal opposition to transgender rights. Even those who continue to admire her work are aware that she benefits financially from any interaction with the franchise, leading some to boycott the films, merchandise, and theme parks. This is a major factor behind the renaming of real-life Quidditch to quadball.

In this situation, it’s a hurdle for Warner Bros. Discovery too, given that their studio consistently refutes J.K. Rowling’s commentary and continues to advocate for LGBTQ+ employees and patrons. This stance has also caused friction among some of the movie stars associated with the franchise, as they aim to distance themselves from Rowling’s statements.

Despite some obstacles related to the backlash against its creator, Hogwarts Legacy managed to thrive in popularity, indicating that many fans are eagerly anticipating their return to Hogwarts. If J.K. Rowling’s personal image conflicts with this franchise at some point, it may cause complications further down the road, but the exact outcomes will be less certain.

Currently, you can stream all eight Harry Potter films on Max. J.K. Rowling’s books are accessible in various formats including print, digital, and audiobooks. It is anticipated that HBO will debut their new Harry Potter series in the year 2026.

2024-11-12 23:11