Original “Harry Potter” Director Chris Columbus Questions HBO Reboot: “What’s the Point?”
Los Angeles, CA – August 28, 2025
Chris Columbus, the acclaimed director who helmed the first two installments of the blockbuster “Harry Potter” film series, has sparked debate in the wizarding world by questioning the necessity of HBO’s upcoming TV reboot. In recent interviews, Columbus expressed bafflement over leaked set photos from the production, particularly those featuring actor Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid, which he said looked eerily similar to his own designs from over two decades ago. “Part of me was like: What’s the point?” Columbus remarked on the podcast The Rest Is Entertainment, hosted by Richard Osman, highlighting his mixed feelings about revisiting J.K. Rowling’s beloved books in a new format.
Columbus, 66, directed Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001) and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002), launching the franchise that grossed billions worldwide and turned young stars Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson into global icons. He also served as producer on the third film, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004), before stepping away due to exhaustion from the demanding schedule. Speaking to Variety while promoting his latest project, Netflix’s The Thursday Murder Club, Columbus made it clear he has no interest in returning to the Potterverse. “No, I’ve done it, you saw my version,” he said. “There’s nothing left for me to do in the world of Potter.”
The HBO series, announced in 2023, aims to adapt all seven of Rowling’s novels across multiple seasons, with each installment covering one book. Production began in July 2025 at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in the UK, featuring a fresh cast including newcomer Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley. Frost, known for roles in Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead, takes on the beloved half-giant Hagrid, a character originally portrayed by the late Robbie Coltrane in the films. The series is executive produced by Succession alumni Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod, with a premiere eyed for 2026 or 2027 on HBO and Max.
Columbus’ comments stem from unofficial photos circulating online of Frost in Hagrid’s costume, complete with the oversized beard and coat. “He’s wearing the exact same costume that we designed for Hagrid,” Columbus noted on the podcast, adding a sense of déjà vu. “It was exactly where we were 20 years ago! We had to shoot it on a Sunday with Dan [Radcliffe] and Martin Bayfield, who stood in for Robbie Coltrane.” Despite his skepticism, Columbus isn’t entirely dismissive. He sees potential in the longer format to include elements cut from the movies for time constraints, such as the poltergeist Peeves or a tense potions class scene where Harry and Hermione fear poisoning. “We could never get that incredible scene into the film, and I’m sure it’ll be in the HBO series,” he told Variety. “So for me, it’s an opportunity to bring all those scenes to life.”
The director, who has a history of family-friendly hits like Home Alone and Mrs. Doubtfire, emphasized his aversion to franchises in general. “I’ve always had issues with the idea of franchise,” he said. “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.” Columbus also reflected fondly on the original cast, expressing pride in Radcliffe’s Tony Award-winning performance in the Broadway revival of The Lifespan of a Fact. He credited lessons from Home Alone star Macaulay Culkin’s experience for protecting the young Potter actors, insisting on involving their parents from the start. “We knew that the eyes of the world would be on these three kids,” he recalled. “They thankfully had just wonderful parents who helped them deal with what I can’t even imagine the pressures are.”
Columbus’ remarks also touched on the ongoing controversy surrounding J.K. Rowling’s views on transgender issues, which have drawn widespread criticism. “I like to sometimes separate the artist from the art, I think that’s important to do,” he said. “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.” This stance aligns with Radcliffe, Grint, and Watson, who have publicly distanced themselves from Rowling’s comments.
Fan reactions on X have been mixed, with some echoing Columbus’ sentiments: “What’s the point of remaking Harry Potter if it’s just the same? Let the originals stand.” Others defend the reboot for its fidelity to the books and potential to introduce the story to new generations. HBO has remained silent on Columbus’ comments, but the series continues filming, promising a faithful adaptation with expanded storytelling opportunities. As the wizarding world expands once more, Columbus’ reflections serve as a nostalgic reminder of the magic that started it all.