Filming is underway for HBO’s reboot Harry Potter series that brings back the magical stories that enchanted audiences with the first franchise installment in 2001. But HarryPotterdirector Chris Columbus reveals he’s not impressed by the new series, especially when it comes to the character of Hagrid.
Appearing on The Rest Is Entertainment podcast, Columbus explained how he had seen unofficial photos of the HBO series during filming and was left perplexed by how actor Nick Frost looked as the iconic bearded groundskeeper of Hogwarts.
To his surprise, the costume and body double looked almost exactly like what was used for the original actor, Robbie Coltrane. It led the Harry Potter director to question the need for a series remake if it looks similar to the original movies.
“So, I’m seeing these photographs … and he’s wearing the exact same costume that we designed for Hagrid. Part of me was like: What’s the point?” explained Columbus. “I thought everything was going to be different, but it’s more of the same. It’s all going to be the same.”
Despite not being too pleased with the lack of creativity for the remake series, Columbus admits, “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.”
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Columbus directed the first two installments of the franchise with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Speaking with Variety, the director admits he’s done with the wizarding world and has no intentions of helping in the series.
“No, I’ve done it, you saw my version. There’s nothing left for me to do in the world of Potter,” he said.
When it comes to the series, Columbus explains they have a better chance at bringing details from the original books to life that they couldn’t at the time. Columbus explains they “didn’t have the opportunity” and certain quirks of Harry “never made it into the film — we just didn’t have time to develop the character.”
The Harry Potter series is set to premiere in early 2027, with each season focused on one of the seven books in the J.K. Rowling saga.
Joining Frost in the series are Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley. Other notable cast members are John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, and Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape.
