As a devoted fan who grew up with Harry Potter and spent countless hours immersed in J.K. Rowling’s magical world, I am positively thrilled about the upcoming HBO series! Having read the books multiple times, I can’t help but feel that the movies didn’t quite do justice to the intricate details and rich tapestry of characters that enchant us all.
The beloved Harry Potter collection is being reimagined anew, providing an opportunity to explore and present certain aspects of the narrative in a fresh and comprehensive manner. While the films released between 2001 and 2011 played a significant role in turning the franchise into a global phenomenon, they didn’t manage to capture every essential detail of the storyline. The following passage offers insights into what this new adaptation could do differently compared to the movies.
The idea for a TV series version of “Harry Potter” on HBO has grown rapidly from a rumor in 2021 into a full-fledged production this June. According to reports, Warner Bros. Discovery is aiming to debut the series sometime in 2026, but specifics about how the series will be structured or how much screen time it will receive remain unknown at this point. Given that a TV series would likely provide more time than the films did, it’s reasonable to assume that each book could potentially span around 10 episodes, similar to other HBO shows. This means that the show may have the opportunity to explore numerous characters, world-building aspects, and plotlines that were either omitted or briefly covered in the movies.
Undeniably, no screen adaptation can perfectly replicate the original source – and that’s perfectly fine. Certain cinematic alterations enhanced the narrative or character development, while some elements might be more suitable for the editing room – such as transient characters or inconsistent magical aspects. Every fan will have their unique opinions on what should grace this series and what shouldn’t, but here’s a compilation of some significant elements the TV show must incorporate.
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More Marauders
A significant reduction in story elements occurred in the third film of the Harry Potter series, titled “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.” In the book, Harry gained insights into his father’s life through a group of childhood friends who called themselves “the Marauders” and crafted the enchanted Marauders’ Map. Numerous viewers were taken aback when this part of the story was omitted or poorly explained in the movie.
During Harry’s father James’ time at Hogwarts, he made friends with Sirius Black and Remus Lupin, and even though they were hesitant, they let Peter Pettigrew join their group. In the story of “Prisoner of Azkaban”, we find out that Lupin was bitten by a werewolf as a child, which led to discrimination against him due to his condition. Every month, he had to seclude himself in the Shrieking Shack during his transformation. Upon discovering this, James and Sirius learned how to transform themselves into animals, making them unregistered Animagi, just like Pettigrew.
In the film, Lupin’s situation is depicted, and we see that his companions have the ability to transform; however, the reason behind this transformation remains unexplained. The series should undoubtedly delve further into this mystery, as fans would be thrilled for extended flashback scenes featuring the Marauders.
Sirius’ Escape
In a more simplified and paraphrased version, the plot of the movie doesn’t provide much detail on how or why Sirius managed to escape from Azkaban Prison. Instead, the story starts with the Weasley family having their picture published in The Daily Prophet newspaper, which shows Ron holding his pet rat (who is actually Peter Pettigrew in disguise). Seeing this photo while imprisoned, Sirius decides to break free and carry out the crime for which he was previously convicted.
Sirius’ ability to transform as an Animagus gives him a unique advantage in evading capture. By shifting into animal form, he becomes less detectable by Dementors, and his slim physique enables him to squeeze through the bars of his cell during times of starvation. This way, he can exit the prison undetected, moving on all fours while the guards are unable to spot him at all due to his transformed state.
Crouch’s Escape
In the film “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire”, similar to its literary counterpart, it leaves some aspects of its shocking finale unexplained. For instance, we find out that Barty Crouch Jr., disguised as Mad-Eye Moody, had managed to escape from Azkaban and spent the entire year masquerading as him. However, the movie omits details about this transformation process. Additionally, it neglects to include Winky, a house elf who plays a significant role in determining Crouch’s identity and his malicious plans, making the storyline slightly more complex than what is portrayed on screen.
In the aftermath of Crouch’s life sentence at Azkaban for his actions as a Death Eater, his mother found it unbearable to watch him be incarcerated. Her health declined severely, and on the brink of death, she convinced Barty Crouch Sr. to arrange a visit to the prison. Employing the polyjuice potion, she switched places with her son, thus freeing him. Tragically, she passed away in prison, while Barty Jr., disguised as his mother, lived in secret outside, serving a virtual house arrest under his father’s watch rather than in Azkaban. It wasn’t until he discovered that Voldemort was still alive that he managed to escape his confinement at home.
Rita Skeeter
In the very same book, it was revealed that Rita Skeeter, a reporter from The Daily Prophet, was an unregistered Animagus capable of shape-shifting into a flying insect. To conceal this talent, she employed it to listen in on conversations, penetrate forbidden zones, and obtain exclusive stories. Hermione leveraged this knowledge to her advantage, using it as blackmail against Rita, a tactic that proved beneficial in subsequent books too.
Talking Portraits and Ghosts
In essence, the films tend to underplay or even ignore the ghostly inhabitants and portrait characters in Hogwarts, including the mischievous Peeves the Poltergeist and Sirius Black’s ancestor Phineas Nigellus Black. The movies often assign Peeves’ disruptive actions to other characters, while they completely overlook Phineas. However, Phineas is a significant figure in the final books as his portrait can move between the Black family home and the headmaster’s office at Hogwarts. This allows him to share information and convey messages, playing a pivotal role despite not being depicted in the films.
Additionally, there are numerous lesser instances that might not always appear on television. One popular character is Sir Cadogan, a knight whose portrait adorns the hallway leading to the Divination tower. Although he was glimpsed in the third film, his actions and eccentric demeanor didn’t get much screen time to truly captivate audiences. He seems perfectly suited for the television adaptation.
More Quidditch
It’s not unexpected that the films minimized Quidditch scenes, particularly after the initial movie, as it often didn’t contribute significantly to the main storyline but played a crucial role in establishing the school atmosphere. Moreover, the popularity of the real-life game Quadball suggests that viewers crave more Quidditch action, so it would be surprising if the show didn’t seize this opportunity.
House Points
In summary, unlike the books, the movie series did not extensively feature the “House Points” competition among Hogwarts’ four houses, despite its significance in the students’ lives. The movies only briefly mention House points on two occasions following the first film. A more immersive viewing experience could have been provided by showcasing the giant hourglasses that are said to be a permanent fixture in the Great Hall, which tally the points earned throughout the year, as seen in the books.
As a devoted Harry Potter fan, I’m thrilled to share that all eight magical movies are now streaming on Max! If you haven’t read the novels yet, they’re available in print, digital, and audiobook formats, ready for your immersive journey into Hogwarts. And here’s something truly enchanting: HBO is planning to premiere their new Harry Potter series in 2025! I can hardly wait to continue the adventures of this wondrous world.
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2024-12-05 23:40