How HBO’s ‘Harry Potter’ Series Can Be Different From the Movies

by

As a lifelong Harry Potter fan who grew up reading the books and eagerly awaiting each new movie adaptation, I have to say that the films, while visually stunning and generally well-done, often fell short of capturing the richness and depth of J.K. Rowling’s writing.

The story about the Boy Who Lived has enchanted audiences around the world. The Harry Potter book series has sold hundreds of millions of copies, breaking all sorts of records in the process. Naturally, Hollywood had to cash in on the Harry Potter mania. Warner Bros. created the Harry Potter film franchise, bringing J.K. Rowling’s fantastical words to life on the big screen. It’s been nearly 20 years since Rowling finished her books, and almost 15 years since the film series ended. And yet, there continues to be a ton of interest and fanfare around the Harry Potter franchise — so much so that Warner Bros. is trying their hand at another adaptation.

This time around, Harry and his team will make their appearance on a highly-regarded television network, HBO, as part of a TV series. While the films largely adhered to J.K. Rowling’s novels, there are numerous aspects that the TV show can enhance. Unlike the movies, which had to omit certain storylines and characters due to time constraints, a TV series has the ability to delve deeper into these ten story arcs, characters, and concepts, providing them with the detailed treatment they didn’t receive in the films.

10
Percy’s Division From the Weasley Family

In “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,” the magical fraternity splits into two factions. On one hand, Harry Potter and Albus Dumbledore assert that Lord Voldemort has come back to life. Conversely, the Ministry of Magic and their supporters argue that Harry and Dumbledore are fabricating this information. This division causes a significant rift among wizards and witches, even leading to discord within close-knit families like the Weasleys. Although we only observe this tension through the pages of our book.

In the novels, we find that Percy Weasley sides with the Ministry of Magic, distancing himself from his own family. The movies portray him with the Ministry, yet they do not delve into the rift this caused nor the painful effects it had on the Weasley clan.

9
Giving Us S.P.E.W.

In the Harry Potter series, Hermione Granger is a strong advocate for diversity, fairness, and inclusivity. A significant plot point involves her establishment of the Society for Elf Welfare (S.P.E.W.), which stands up for the rights of house-elves. During the novel “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,” Hermione is deeply troubled by what she perceives as injustices towards and discrimination against house-elves. She sets up S.P.E.W. to provide a platform for them, although many of them seem indifferent to her assistance.

We understand why they eliminated that storyline from the films, but we hope that S.P.E.W. will be included in the TV series because it plays such a significant role in Hermione’s character. However, HBO faces a daunting challenge when it comes to everyone’s beloved character, Hermione Granger. It’s quite challenging to surpass Emma Watson’s portrayal of Hermione.

8
Including Cut Characters

In addition to trimming storylines, multiple characters from the Harry Potter books were unfortunately eliminated in the movies. The departed include Peeves the mischievous poltergeist, the Gaunt family members, Winky the house-elf, and even young Teddy Lupin, who is Harry’s godson.

The TV series offers an opportunity for the wizarding world to expand, enabling the creators to introduce previously unseen characters.

7
Casting Age-Appropriate Characters

In the Harry Potter film series, several actors are highly admired by fans for their unforgettable portrayals of their characters. It’s challenging to envision any other performer taking on roles like Alan Rickman’s complex Severus Snape or Gary Oldman’s Harry’s godfather, Sirius Black. However, one aspect that some fans find slightly jarring is the age difference between these actors and their book counterparts. Characters such as Snape, Sirius, and Lupin are only in their early thirties when Harry first attends Hogwarts, while the actors portraying them were already in their forties and fifties during filming.

In this adaptation, actors older than James and Lily Potter, who tragically lost their lives in their youth, will portray the couple. By casting mature actors as young parents, it emphasizes the courage of their actions and the heartbreaking nature of their demise. HBO is considering the age of its performers, and this show provides an excellent chance to present characters that align more closely with their actual ages — even though they might struggle to find a 110-year-old actor for Dumbledore’s role.

6
Showing the Quidditch World Cup

Once every four years, the Quidditch World Cup stands as a significant sports spectacle within the narrative of “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire”. It’s only surpassed by another major sporting event in the story, the Triwizard Tournament. Enthusiasts were eager to accompany Harry at the Quidditch World Cup, engage with wizards and witches from different lands, and witness this grand competition unfold.

In a surprising turn of events, the same spectators found themselves feeling both stunned and disappointed when the movie abruptly skipped over the entire match, leaving us with only brief introductions. It’s hoped that the upcoming TV series will rectify this oversight and provide fans with an up-close view of this captivating sporting spectacle.

5
Including Harry and Dudley’s Goodbye

A significant scene that left many viewers emotional was Harry and Dudley’s farewell. Despite years of mistreatment, conflict, and apparent dislike, in the end, Dudley shows Harry respect, even admiration. He extends a sincere handshake as a parting gesture. This moment is particularly moving in the book, marking a transformation for Dudley’s character, and serving as an emotional culmination of their complex relationship.

Indeed, this scene was initially included as an additional part of the storyline, but unfortunately, it didn’t make it into the final movie cut. The decision by the filmmakers to exclude this scene is a source of regret and a missed opportunity for devoted book enthusiasts.

4
Including Neville’s Past

Neville Longbottom is a cherished secondary character from the Harry Potter series. In the films, he’s portrayed by Matthew Lewis, but they don’t fully explore Neville’s backstory as depicted in the books. One significant element missing from the movies is the introduction of his formidable grandmother, Augusta, who has a significant interaction with Harry in the fifth book, “Order of the Phoenix.

In the same setting, we discover that Neville stays with his grandmother because his parents were admitted to St Mungo’s Hospital, having been driven insane by Bellatrix Lestrange’s cruel torment. This emotionally charged and enlightening scene is omitted in the movie adaptation, a choice which is one of the more poignant and revealing moments from the books.

As a devoted film enthusiast, I can’t help but notice the missed opportunity when it comes to delving deeper into Neville Longbottom’s connection to the Chosen One prophecy in the Harry Potter series. This prophecy foretold the birth of a boy with the power to vanquish Lord Voldemort, born at the end of July. Interestingly, there were two potential candidates for this role – our beloved Harry Potter and none other than Neville Longbottom.

3
Better Romance Between Harry and Ginny

In the movies, Harry’s feelings for Ginny Weasley appear sudden and unexplained. However, in the books, their relationship and feelings towards each other are gradually developed over several stories. The characters share a strong, passionate chemistry on paper, but this is not effectively conveyed in the films, resulting in a lack of romantic spark between Harry and Ginny.

In the books, every affectionate gesture and emotion they express seems insincere. Ginny appears quite distinct in literature – she’s bold, captivating, and strong – traits that don’t shine through much in Bonnie Wright’s portrayal. Finding an actress capable of embodying Ginny is as crucial as finding the perfect actors for Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Here’s to HBO nailing it and delivering the tumultuous teenage romance we all secretly yearn for.

2
Showing Snape’s Memories of Hogwarts as Full Scenes

One of the best scenes in Order of the Phoenix doesn’t even involve Harry. At least, not directly. In the books, Harry uses the Pensieve to visit Snape’s youthful memories of Hogwarts. Like Harry, we’re thrilled to see the teenage Marauders in their element: Harry’s father, the legendary James Potter, along with a young Sirius, Lupin, and Pettigrew. The memory shows James and his cronies tormenting a young Snape — and then getting reprimanded for it by Harry’s teenage mother, Lilly.

Fans were eagerly anticipating an extended showing of this fantastic movie scene. However, to their disappointment, it was transformed into a brief montage in “Order of the Phoenix,” providing only fleeting glimpses of these characters. A full-fledged scene like the one found in the books would have made the experience so much more enjoyable. As an additional remark, could the series kindly clarify who the Marauders were and how they invented the Marauder’s Map? Unfortunately, the films neglected to include this crucial detail.

1
Showing More of the Voldemort Memories/Backstory

This entry shares many similarities with the previous one, but it holds significantly greater significance. The most captivating moments in “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” come from Harry’s private tutoring sessions with Dumbledore, where they delve into the Pensieve and explore third-party memories of Lord Voldemort. These scenes offer some of the most thought-provoking and enlightening moments in the “Harry Potter” series. They reveal glimpses of Voldemort’s troubled childhood, his transformation into adulthood, and ultimately, the monster he became. These memories are like puzzle pieces; they fit together to create a more comprehensive picture of Voldemort, offering a backstory that we didn’t realize was essential.

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but yearn for a more immersive exploration of the Gaunt family and their connection to Voldemort’s infamous Horcruxes. While The Half-Blood Prince film adaptation touched upon some of these scenes, it failed to delve deeply into the intricate web of events surrounding the artifacts and those associated with them, such as the enigmatic Gaunts. I find myself eagerly anticipating an expansion of these stories, one that would bring every spine-tingling memory to life in its entirety.

Read More

2024-12-12 04:06