The Hollywood Reporter dropped a massive bombshell to start off the week by breaking that HBO Max is in the early stages of developing a Harry Potter series. While what the series is about or when it takes place in the Harry Potter timeline is currently unknown, this is exciting news to every fan of the Wizarding World. Earlier this month Warner Bros. executive Tom Ascheim was promoted to oversee the entire Harry Potter franchise. Warner Bros. was quick to deny that anything was in development, but if you know Hollywood, you know that lying happens more often than not.
Studio executives lie all of the time, mainly to squash reports of newsworthy stories about something that is in development. To appoint Ascheim in charge of everything Harry Potter related, clearly he had a vision. A vision about what he wants to do to grow the Harry Potter franchise moving forward. HBO Max hasn’t done great since its arrival in the end of May. This is one of the reasons why Warner Bros. will be dropping their entire 2021 movie catalog on the streaming service. That is also why Warner Bros. has already green-lit three ‘GAME OF THRONES’ prequel shows on HBO Max. And that is also why Warner Bros. seems to be putting a lot of focus of Harry Potter as well.
Ever since ‘HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 2’ released in 2011, fans all over the world have been clamoring for more Harry Potter. The 8-film series made the studio over seven billion dollars. The Fantastic Beasts series has been ok thus far, but it’s lacked the draw of the original series. That is where HBO Max comes in. HBO Max is developing over a dozen DC Comics based shows and movies, why not test the waters on the most famous wizard of all-time?
While I would love to see a reboot of the original movie series, as a tv series, that’s a long ways away. By doing something as massive as that, FIRST, it could get a lot of hate and send off the wrong message as being a cash grab, So not yet, but don’t abandon that possibility. There are a few story ideas that I would love to see get adapted, but let me begin by stating that I find it highly unlikely that ‘THE CURSED CHILD’ will be the choice, for now.
The play has received a lot of hate from die-hard fans who aren’t too happy with the prospect of rewriting part of the timeline which in doing so change certain events in the present. The concept of Harry and Draco’s sons going back in time to save Cedric Diggory, was a nice thought. But the present day being ran by Voldemort and Death Eaters, just didn’t add up. Maybe someday we’ll get a Cursed Child movie, but is Warner Bros. and HBO Max want to win over fan approval of Harry Potter shows, do something that would please fans. The Marauders seems like the safest bet.
Marauders
For over a decade fans have wanted to studio to develop a series based on James Potter, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew as Hogwarts students. Seeing these characters together at Hogwarts, seeing their shenanigans, getting introduced to beloved characters for the first time, and seeing relationships spawn, is the perfect choice for the first show.
Casting choices- James Potter: Tom Holland, Sirius Black: Robbie Kay, Remus Lupin: Will Poulter, Peter Pettigrew: Asa Butterfield, Lily Evans: Millie Bobby Brown, Severus Snape: Luke Newton
Hogwarts
Another option that would be really fascinating, would be the origin of Hogwarts. A thousand years ago where we see Godric Gryffindor, Rowena Ravenclaw, Helga Hufflepuff and Salazar Slytherin create Hogwarts after Wizards and Witches begin to get scrutinized by the general public. Seeing Salazar slowly fall into darkness while the other three prosper in their newfound paradise, would be a fun concept. It taking place over a thousand years ago would have no direct ties to the movie series, meaning that we can see made up characters for the show, while also possibly seeing a Malfoy.
Casting choices- Godric Gryffindor: Aaron Taylor-Johnson Salazar Slytherin: Andrew Scott, Rowena Ravenclaw: Emilia Clarke, Helga Hufflepuff: Natalie Dormer
Voldemort
There’s one option that is rather intriguing and is resides with Tom Riddle. How about a Voldemort series where we see Riddle right after leaving Hogwarts to create his following of Death Eaters, and to make Horcruxes. The show could dive more into Riddle and what truly set him off in murdering every Muggle. Did he have a lover interest? Was his mud-blood father cruel to him as a child? This show could really humanize Voldemort, and could make us feel for him.
Casting Choices- Voldemort: Matthew Goode, Severus Snape: Adam Driver, Barty Crouch Jr: Iwan Rheon, Lucius Malfoy: Joe Dempsie, Bellatrix Lestrange: Eva Green, Regulus Black: Luke Evans