Harry Potter Legend’s Son Slams HBO’s Reboot: ‘No Thank You’

Harry Potter Legend's Son Slams HBO's Reboot: 'No Thank You'

As a seasoned cinephile with over three decades of film-watching experience under my belt, I must confess that HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter reboot leaves me feeling like a first-year student at Hogwarts, utterly bewildered and somewhat skeptical. Having grown up with the original films, I fondly remember Richard Harris’ portrayal of Dumbledore and can’t help but wonder if his son, Jared Harris, shares my sentiments regarding the need for this new series.


Fervent Harry Potter devotees aren’t alone in expressing doubts about the necessity of HBO’s revamped series, as Jared Harris, son of the original Dumbledore, Richard Harris, has also expressed similar reservations. Richard Harris played the iconic role of Headmaster Dumbledore in Warner Bros.’ successful Harry Potter film series, appearing in the first two movies, “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” and “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.” After his death in 2002, Michael Gambon took over the role, portraying Dumbledore in all subsequent Harry Potter films.

In an interview with The Independent, actor Jared Harris expressed his thoughts on HBO’s upcoming adaptation. When asked if he might take on the role of his father in this new series, he simply replied, “No, thank you.

“Also, I mean, why do it? I don’t understand. The films were fantastic – leave them alone.”

Known for his outstanding acting skills, Jared Harris has graced screens in shows like ‘Mad Men’, ‘Foundation’, ‘The Crown’, ‘The Terror’, and ‘Chernobyl’ on HBO, receiving Emmy nominations for his work in ‘Mad Men’ and ‘Chernobyl’. Regrettably, he wasn’t featured in any of the ‘Harry Potter’ films together with his father.

HBO’s Harry Potter Series Is Currently Casting Its Core Characters

Harry Potter Legend's Son Slams HBO's Reboot: 'No Thank You'Harry Potter Legend's Son Slams HBO's Reboot: 'No Thank You'Harry Potter Legend's Son Slams HBO's Reboot: 'No Thank You'Harry Potter Legend's Son Slams HBO's Reboot: 'No Thank You'

The revival of the Harry Potter series on HBO is currently in its initial stages. Currently, Francesca Gardiner, known for Succession, has been appointed as the showrunner. Notably, HBO has issued an open invitation for auditions for the main roles: Harry Potter (previously portrayed by Daniel Radcliffe), Ron Weasley (previously Rupert Grint), and Hermione Granger (previously Emma Watson). Additionally, there’s a wave of disapproval from fans about this reboot itself, and HBO also faces the challenge of managing negative publicity due to Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling’s controversial statements regarding transgender individuals and her support for anti-LGBTQ+ groups. This has negatively impacted other Wizarding World projects, such as the Hogwarts Legacy video game, which was heavily criticized due to Rowling’s involvement.

It’s worth noting that J.K. Rowling is set to play a direct role in the upcoming series. To anticipate potential criticism, HBO has pledged to ensure a diverse and inclusive cast for the production. In detail, their casting call states:

We strive for a casting approach that values diversity and inclusivity. Regardless of an individual’s ethnicity, sex, disability, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other legally protected factor, we welcome submissions from all qualified performers for every role, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

So far, no actors have been officially chosen for the upcoming series. The original cast members, with few exceptions, have collectively decided not to make guest appearances in this new adaptation. Interestingly, only Gary Oldman has expressed interest in joining the show, and he’s hinted at the possibility of portraying a different character than his previous one – Dumbledore, in fact.

HBO’s
Harry Potter
reboot is speculated to be released in late 2026/early 2027.

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2024-09-24 15:01