The filmmaker behind the original Harry Potter movie franchise, Chris Columbus, has recently stated his stance on the JK Rowling controversy.
Yet, he believes that the artist (author) can still be separated from the art (the series) she’s created. Check out what he had to say below:
Where Does Chris Columbus Stand on the JK Rowling Controversy?
The filmmaker, who directed the first two Harry Potter features and produced the third, claims that Rowling doesn’t have to be a part of the Wizarding World beyond her books, especially after witnessing her stand her ground on her anti-transgender agenda.
“I like to sometimes separate the artist from the art, I think that’s important to do,” Columbus told Variety, “It’s unfortunate, what’s happened. I certainly don’t agree with what she’s talking about. But it’s just sad, it’s very sad.”
.jpg?width=700)
Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures | Fair use for news and promotional purposes
Columbus wouldn’t be the first Harry Potter crew to go against the author’s political views, and he wouldn’t be the last. Still, as much as Rowling’s stance has been affecting the franchise and the brand as a whole, Columbus’s reason for refusing to join the reboot goes beyond that.
What Has Chris Columbus Said About the Harry Potter Reboot Series?
“No, I’ve done it, you saw my version,” Columbus told the news outlet while promoting Netflix’s Thursday Murder Club, “There’s nothing left for me to do in the world of Potter.”
Apart from his involvement, Columbus believes that the upcoming reboot could do wonders for their missed opportunities in the movies, given how limited they could adapt from the original novels. One of the things Columbus emphasized was the character Peeves, who “never made it into the film” as they “didn’t have time to develop the character.”
Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures | Fair use for news and promotional purposes
“We could never get that incredible scene into the film, and I’m sure it’ll be in the HBO series,” Columbus continued, “So for me, it’s an opportunity to bring all those scenes to life.”
The reboot aims to portray what was missing in the original franchise, and those include snippets from the books that would have added more sense to the movies. However, as Columbus mentioned, the limits that movies can explore could be delved into further through episodic stories, which he hopes the reboot would be able to do.
For now, the Harry Potter reboot is scheduled to premiere sometime in 2027. Stay tuned for more updates on this story.
Keep it locked on Epicstream, your go-to site for film, TV, and celebrity coverage!
