Harry Potter Will Be a New Television Series, Causing Harsh Criticism
The magical world of Harry Potter is going on a new journey. The popular franchise will become a multi-season television series.
The Harry Potter book series will soon be a TV series. The franchise will make its small-screen debut on HBO Max. Much like the film series, the television series will be backed by Warner Bros. The television project is in its early stages, there is not even a writer or director set for the series. What is getting this project closer to fruition, however, is the book’s controversial author, J.K. Rowling, who is signing on as a producer.
Your Hogwarts letter is here.
— HBO Max (@hbomax) April 12, 2023
Max has ordered the first ever #HarryPotter scripted television series, a faithful adaptation of the iconic books. #StreamOnMax pic.twitter.com/3CgEHLYhch
During the Warner Bros. Discovery presentation on April 12, there was an announcement that the series was officially moving forward. HBO & Max Content CEO Casey Bloys exclaimed, “We are delighted to give audiences the opportunity to discover Hogwarts in a whole new way. Harry Potter is a cultural phenomenon and it is clear there is such an enduring love and thirst for the Wizarding World. In partnership with Warner Bros. Television and J.K. Rowling, this new Max Original series will dive deep into each of the iconic books that fans have continued to enjoy for all of these years.”
To celebrate 100 years of Warner Bros., here are 100 magical moments from Harry Potter ❤️ #WB100 pic.twitter.com/BHG3PUojCB
— Harry Potter Film (@HarryPotterFilm) April 4, 2023
There are seven novels in the Harry Potter series. The plan for the television series is that one season would represent one book, which is seven seasons in total. Seven seasons may seem like an ambitious plan upfront; however, there would be a lot of power backing this series. There have been talks of a possible Harry Potter series for years. With Rowling in producer talks, Warner Bros. giving the project a lot of attention, and word that the production company is searching for a writer, people may see more Harry Potter sooner than they might have thought.
we don’t need harry potter reboot
— fran multi 💫🕷️🕸️ (@hpspideywayne) April 12, 2023
they’re the golden trio ✨ pic.twitter.com/lIdc9EKriT
The books became a movie series in 2001. There were eight movies in total, with the final book’s story spanning two films. Due to this being the best-selling book series of all time, the movies had a lot to live up to. People ended up appreciating the films a lot, for the most part. Fans have now become attached to these movies and the cast. After those books and films, Rowling released a book taking place years after the original series, called Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. That book then became a play on both Broadway and West End. The franchise has also led to games, theme parks, and stores worldwide.
The thing is i dont think they will be able to replicate the success of the Harry Potter franchise, it was made at the right time with mostly perfect actors that grew up with the movies, you can’t really replicate that, it was a special thing that happened. pic.twitter.com/sxg7wyvL2E
— Mody (@modytalkmovies) April 4, 2023
Rowling has had controversy over recent years. That is due to some of her transphobic views. Those views have been expressed in tweets, her website, and even a novel she recently wrote. As a result, Rowling is considered a “TERF,” otherwise known as a Trans Exclusionary Radical Feminist. Many cast members of the original films have spoken out against Rowling’s transphobic views. This is one of the reasons why people do not want this television series. It would be putting more money in Rowling’s pockets. Therefore, supporting the television series would mean supporting her. So even if people like the books, they do not want to keep giving Rowling money.
Setting aside how absurdly unnecessary a HARRY POTTER reboot is in the first place, I’d just rather we not continue to give billions to a woman who has made it her life mission to invalidate the existence of trans women & endanger our lives with her unrelentingly hateful rhetoric
— Zoë Rose Bryant (@ZoeRoseBryant) April 4, 2023
Another reason why people are skeptical/against the television series is that they do not think the franchise needs more projects. Many fans believe these films are good enough as they are, and the books do not need reimagination. Especially since the films of the recent prequel series, Fantastic Beasts, have not been incredibly popular. According to some fans, the franchise is played out by this point and should stop attempting to reinvent itself.
this is going to completely bomb and not even for any culture war reasons related to jk rowling, theres just no way your average harry potter obsessed person will care about this without the original cast https://t.co/v4MuU4V0jO
— pudding person (@JUNlPER) April 3, 2023
The announcement of the Harry Potter television series has received a lot of backlash overall. However, due to the money that Warner Bros. would likely provide, people’s current opinions will likely not affect television development. The television series is in its early stages, so the franchise’s trip to the small screen will probably not be until at least 2024. There are a lot of steps to go, and one of the big ones is facing the hurdles of negative feedback created by fans. Until then, you can enjoy the Harry Potter movies on HBO Max today.
