Harry Pottermay be getting a new adaptation. According to rumors floating around, Warner Bros. Discovery is interested in reviving the franchise in a reboot.
Harry Potterwas an absolute phenomenon from 1998 to 2011. The franchise had a chokehold on pop culture from the publication ofHarry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stoneto the premiere ofHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2. In recent years, however, the franchise’s star has waned a bit, though Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav has statedHarry Potteris a priority for the studio.
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WDW Proreported on the rumors of a reboot, claiming the studio is looking to recast key roles in theHarry Potterfranchise to re-energize it for younger audiences. According to the claims, the studio would not be doing a traditional reboot, as the story of Harry’s years at Hogwarts is over for good, and the studio would be interested in telling other stories. The leaker further claimed that this will happen within the next 3-5 years and that Warner Bros. Discovery is waiting on a James Gunn-like figure to run this department.
The leak appears to hint at something akin to aHarry Potter and the Cursed Childmovie. Though the play does not cover enough material for a multi-film franchise, it does cover what happens to Harry and his friends after their time at Hogwarts, taking place far enough in the future that recasting might not be such an egregious prospect. However, the supposed leak does not mentionHarry Potter and the Cursed Childspecifically.
RebootingHarry Pottermay be a tall task for Warner Bros. Discovery. Not only is there a deep attachment to the previous portrayal of the characters, butJ.K. Rowling’s recent controversieshave also alienated severalHarry Potterfans. It is possible that this could impact any reboot moving forward, should fans make it clear they do not want to support a project Rowling is attached to.
Additionally, theHarry Potterfranchise continued in the form oftheFantastic Beastsfranchise, which appears to be shutting down amid disappointing box office returns. The lack of excitement for those films could mean that the franchise is in a cold spot right now. Still, with Warner Bros. Discovery’s recent re-shuffling, the top brass may be considering reviving the mainHarry Potterfranchise.
