After years of rumors, a Harry Potter reboot might be coming our way soon. Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. is reportedly close to finalizing a deal to bring a new series to streaming. The series will directly adapt the books and will run seven seasons, with each season based on a different book. Potterheads are already debating whether the series is a necessary addition to the extended Wizarding World universe given the final Harry Potter film came out as recently as 2011.
The movie adaptations were massive box office draws, generating billions in revenue. While the movies were unable to bring every detail from the books to the big screen, many fans are satisfied with the films and think it’s premature to create a new adaptation. For many, the film actors perfectly portrayed the Harry Potter characters and fans believe the move is in poor taste, even without accounting for the author’s controversial actions in recent years.
Warner Bros. has been looking for a way to incorporate Harry Potter IP into streaming and is working on a deal with author J.K. Rowling regarding the series. Rowling has been criticized for her anti-trans rhetoric but a rebooted series is impossible without her input. Once given her approval, the show would have the go-ahead to be produced.
Is the ‘Harry Potter’ reboot coming to HBO (and when)?
HBO Max has been interested in creating a Harry Potter TV series for the past several years. According to a report from Deadline, the potential project went through different phases and changed hands as the Discovery acquisition was completed. David Zaslav, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO, has emphasized how important the Harry Potter franchise is for the company’s future. If Rowling gets on board with Warner Bros. Discovery’s vision for the IP, a show will be coming to HBO.
Zaslav has stated he plans to invest in fewer films and TV series, instead wanting to focus on higher-quality media. Once Rowling signs off on the project, the next phase is to find a writer for the HBO series. Since the reboot is still in its very early stages, the likelihood we’ll see a series this year or even next is nigh impossible. Nothing has been confirmed in regards to the series so there is no release date as of yet.
After Rowling’s TV and film production company saw record losses this past year, it’s likely she’ll agree to a deal in an effort to recoup some of those losses. Rowling was involved in the Fantastic Beasts films which suffered from poor box office performance but also took part in the creation of the play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. The play is successfully running in several major cities so it’s obvious there’s still some money to be made off the Harry Potter IP. The reboot is still in its infancy so at this point all we can do is wait and see how this Wiazrding World creations plays out.