Chris Columbus, the director of the first two Harry Potter films, has criticised the look of the forthcoming series, questioning the need to replicate his movies.
The filmmaker, known for Home Alone and the recent Netflix film The Thursday Murder Club, directed 2001’s Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone, follow-up The Chamber Of Secrets the third film, The Prisoner Of Azkaban.
Appearing on The Rest Is Entertainment Podcast, he spoke about the new HBO adaptation of the novels, which will focus on one book per season and air in early 2027. He specifically talked about Nick Frost, who has been cast as Hagrid, and the recent set photos of him in costume.
“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.”
Robbie Coltrane played the role of Hagrid for all the original movies. The Scottish actor passed away in 2022.
Reflecting on the similarities, Columbus said: “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.”
Speaking to Variety recently, the director asserted there was no desire to be involved with the forthcoming series. “No, I’ve done it, you saw my version,” he said. “There’s nothing left for me to do in the world of Potter.”
He also said the show was an opportunity to include scenes from the books that he didn’t have space for in the movies. “The great thing about it is that with the first and second and third book, we wanted to do it all.
“We wanted to bring all of that onto the screen, and we didn’t have the opportunity,” he said, referencing the character of Peeves as one he was sad not to include. “We could never get that incredible scene into the film, and I’m sure it’ll be in the HBO series. So for me, it’s an opportunity to bring all those scenes to life.”
Recently, an actor from the original films, Jason Isaacs, called out “racist” critics of Paapa Essiedu’s casting as Severus Snape in the show.
