Fan hopes crushed: Harry Potter return is "never going to happen," says director
It’s been over a decade since the last Harry Potter film hit theaters in 2011, yet many fans still hope for a reunion of the original cast ‒ perhaps through a movie adaptation of the stage play. In an interview with The Times (UK), Chris Columbus, who directed the first two films, was clear: it will “never happen.”
Chris Columbus had once shown interest in adapting The Cursed Child into a film. However, given the ongoing political and personal tensions, he no longer sees it as a realistic option. The main obstacle is the continued controversy surrounding J.K. Rowling and her views on trans rights. “Too complicated with all the politics,” Columbus said, summing up the situation.
The director revealed that he hasn’t been in contact with J.K. Rowling for about ten years. He remains close, however, to Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint. Both Radcliffe and Watson have publicly expressed support for trans rights, putting them at odds with Rowling. The author has described herself as a TERF (“trans-exclusionary radical feminist”) and often shares critical views of trans activism. In the past, she has even accused Radcliffe and Watson of “betraying” her by siding with the trans community.
While Columbus sees no chance of a reunion with the original cast, fans still have something to look forward to in the Harry Potter universe. HBO is currently developing a TV reboot with an entirely new cast. According to HBO executive Casey Bloys, J.K. Rowling is “heavily involved” in the production, though her personal views are reportedly not influencing casting decisions or scripts.
