Fans often compare the Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings film series, as both are based on popular book series that launched around the same time. It’s even common for people to mix up the actors who played the main characters, like Elijah Wood and Daniel Radcliffe. But while Harry Potter is getting a new TV series, a remake of The Lord of the Rings isn’t currently in the works, and the two franchises have taken very different paths over the past twenty years.
Lately, it feels like every fantasy series is being adapted for television. The popularity of Game of Thrones proved that longer TV seasons work well for telling complicated stories, and now many studios want to follow suit. HBO is planning a Harry Potter TV series set to premiere in 2027, but don’t count on seeing a Lord of the Rings remake anytime soon.
The Lord Of The Rings Cast Is Still Actively Participating In The Franchise
The Cast Has Kept The Lord Of The Rings Movies Alive
It feels like the main Harry Potter story has really settled down. The last movie came out way back in 2011, and Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint all moved on to different projects. Of course, Warner Bros. wasn’t ready to give up on that world, so they made the Fantastic Beasts films. But those were totally separate stories with a new group of actors, and honestly, they didn’t do as well as everyone hoped.
Several things made a new Harry Potter TV series possible. The fresh, young actors won’t be compared to the original cast, and the series format combined with today’s special effects can really bring the story to life. However, the Lord of the Rings movies have remained popular for much longer than the Harry Potter films have.
Over time, many of the main actors from the Harry Potter films have moved away from the series. However, the stars of Lord of the Rings – including Wood, Sean Astin, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Ian McKellen, and Viggo Mortensen – remain enthusiastic about their work on the films. Ian McKellen is even signed on for another Lord of the Rings movie, and the four actors who played the Hobbits are planning a tour in 2026 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the films.
It would be very strange for Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema to announce a TV series based on The Lord of the Rings while the original actors are still actively involved with the movies. While a remake might happen eventually, it’s not likely to be announced in the near future.
Why Things Have Gone So Differently For Harry Potter & Lord Of The Rings Over The Last 20 Years
It’s fascinating to think about why the Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings film series have resonated with audiences so differently over the years. Both are still incredibly popular, but Harry Potter feels somewhat distant now, while Lord of the Rings continues to feel current and alive, even though we haven’t had a new release in a while – it doesn’t feel like something just to be revisited or remade.
While J.K. Rowling’s controversies might be a factor, the Harry Potter cast had already started appearing at fan events less often than the Lord of the Rings cast. The main reason for this difference is probably simply that the Harry Potter actors were younger when the series ended, and have pursued other opportunities.
Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint had the option to appear in future Harry Potter films if they’d chosen. It’s hard to believe Warner Bros. never considered spin-offs. But, after growing up with the franchise, it’s understandable they wanted to move on. In contrast, the cast of Lord of the Rings joined the project as adults and spent a relatively shorter time working on it.
It seems likely that the Harry Potter story could be retold multiple times. After the current TV series finishes and the young actors age, they might want to move on. Warner Bros. could then recast the roles with a new group of young actors, essentially starting the story over. It’s not a very appealing thought, but thankfully, Lord of the Rings probably won’t need this treatment for at least twenty years.
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2025-10-31 16:02