Key Takeaways
- Cast rumors for HBO’s Harry Potter reboot grab attention with unexpected choices like Brett Goldstein for Hagrid.
- Reboot faces controversy due to recency of original films and J.K. Rowling’s views.
- Premiere delayed to 2027, series aims to explore more plotlines from the books.
Since it was announced last April, Max’s Harry Potter reboot has been the talk of Hollywood. The show has been making waves the past week or so as fans are finally given some clues as to who will be playing a few major characters.
Harry Potter is one of the most beloved film franchises out there, even in 2024. The decision to reboot it has proven exceptionally controversial, both because of author J.K. Rowling’s inflammatory and offensive views and also– potentially even more so– because of the recency of the original saga. The last film was released in July 2011. A lot of fans have questioned why a reboot is necessary so soon after the first set of films came out. However, there are also fans who are excited to see a fresh take on the story as well. The episodic format will allow for the show to tackle plotlines that were cut from the movies for time, and in turn more development for the characters.
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News has been sparse as the show is still very much in the development phase, but now it seems like every update has been more surprising than the last. The first came in the form of the frontrunner for Snape: Paapa Essiedu, a veteran of the stage and star of this year’s The Outrun along Saoirse Ronan. Deadline announced the next surprise, which is the seemingly credible rumor of who Warner Bros. wants for the iconic character of Hagrid: Ted Lasso‘s Brett Goldstein. The choice is definitely unexpected, but not necessarily a bad one. Goldstein’s character Roy Kent may be surly but he’s also very lovable, which is arguably the most important quality for Hagrid to have. Prior to the news, actor Nick Frost seems to have been fans’ top choice for the character, in a fandom known well for its tendency to fan cast. Some still think he’d fit the role better.
Despite big headlines, Deadline reports that none of the actors whose names have been thrown around have formal offers as of yet, and nothing has been confirmed. It’s somewhat strange that casting news is dropping so early– before the actors are actually officially in talks for the roles Max is circling them for– but it’s likely that Max is trying to generate buzz around and excitement for the series to combat the long wait before it comes out. The cast remains up in the air, as does whether the series will tackle the story as well as the films already did. Some believe the reboot is already doomed to fail for various reasons, including the inevitable comparisons to said films and the original cast (especially Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint).
Regardless of who ultimately gets cast, everyone involved in the series is in for a wild ride. There are mixed levels of excitement from fans online, so it’s hard to tell how many people will ultimately tune in when the show airs. It has already been delayed from a 2026 premiere to 2027, and Max plans to film the first couple of seasons back-to-back in order to prevent noticeable aging (which is a common complaint about Netflix’s hit series Stranger Things). So far, Max has been highlighting the ways the reboot will differ from the originals, including making a promise to be more diverse this time around. It appears that they are already trying to make good on that, but fans will have to wait a good while before we know whether they really follow through.
The Harry Potter reboot is expected to premiere in early 2027.
Source: Deadline
Harry Potter
When Harry Potter learns that he is a wizard, he enters a world beyond belief. Aside from continuing his studies at Hogwarts with best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, Harry must also face Voldemort and his dark wizarding forces. The Harry Potter franchise is a worldwide phenomenon, spanning seven books, eight movies, three spinoff movies, a stage play, and numerous video games.