Original Harry Potter director Chris Columbus on reboot HBO series: ‘What’s the point?’

Chris Columbus, the celebrated American director of both Home Alone films, Mrs. Doubtfire and the first two Harry Potter films, has questioned the need to reboot the series with the upcoming HBO adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s novels.

The filmmaker is currently promoting his Netflix film The Thursday Murder Club, which is based on the books by Richard Osman, and appeared on Osman’s podcast, The Rest Is Entertainment.

He spoke about the highly anticipated yet controversial Harry Potter TV series adaptation, which will focus on one book per season, mentioning set photos of Nick Frost as Hagrid.

“I’m seeing these photographs… and (Nick Frost is) wearing the exact same costume that we designed for Hagrid. Part of me was like: What’s the point?” he asked. “I thought the costumes and everything was going to be different, but it’s more of the same. It’s all going to be the same.” 

Columbus directed beloved Scottish actor Robbie Coltrane in the role of Hagrid in 2001’s Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and 2002’s Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Coltrane died in 2022.  

He continued: “It’s very flattering for me, because I’m like, that’s exactly the Hagrid costume that we designed. So, part of it is really exciting, so I’m excited to see what they’re going to do with it. Part of it is sort of deja vu all over again.” 

Columbus, who recently described Rowling’s transgender views as “very sad,” added that he was not envious that HBO would be able to adapt the Harry Potter books on a bigger canvas than the movies.

“Jealous? No,” he said. “It’s time to move on. I’ve always had issues with [the] idea of franchise. I feel like I’ve done it … I’m really proud of those films, the first three that I was involved with, and I’m moving on.”

HBO has been drip-feeding photos from the shoot, and announced in late May that 11-year-old Dominic McLaughlin was cast as Harry Potter.

Several high-profile actors have been announced in other key roles, including John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley, Johnny Flynn as Lucius Malfoy, and Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape.  

Jason Isaacs, who played Lucius Malfoy in the original Harry Potter films, recently called out “racist” critics of the casting of the British-Ghanaian actor, telling Collider that Essiedu “is one of the best actors I’ve ever seen in my life.”  

“I’ve seen some people online who are being rude about him. What they’re being is racist. All the cast of the new Harry Potter TV series are amazing. They will be swallowing their tongues, hopefully - you know, their digital tongues - when they see what (Essiedu) does onscreen”. 

Elsewhere, many fans have objected to Rowling’s involvement in the new show due to views she has expressed on transgender rights, while others have also questioned the need for another take on Harry Potter.  

“The series no one asked for. Even my little nieces and cousins love the original, they don’t need a new version of it,” said one person, while another wrote: “Hope it’s not gonna be God awful. No one asked for this. Just another cash grab.” 

The HBO show began production at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in the UK, and is expected to debut in 2027.