In an interview on The Rest Is Entertainment podcast on 26/8, Chris Columbus, the director of "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" (2001) and "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" (2002), voiced his disappointment with the upcoming HBO series. "Seeing Nick Frost wearing the exact same costume we designed for Hagrid, I wondered, 'What's the point?'", Columbus said. "I expected some reinvention, but it's just a repetition."

Hagrid in the TV series (left) and the film adaptation. Photo: HBO/Warner Bros.

Columbus previously told Variety he wasn't interested in participating in the HBO series, stating he had fulfilled his commitment to the franchise. He reiterated this sentiment in several interviews. "I'm not jealous, I'm truly proud of the films I worked on. Now, I want to move on," he explained.

The HBO-produced "Harry Potter" series, slated for a 2027 release, aims to be a faithful adaptation of J. K. Rowling's novels. Producers claim the new version will delve into more details than the film series, following the protagonist from his first year at Hogwarts, his friendships with Ron and Hermione, to his final confrontation with Lord Voldemort. 11-year-old Dominic McLaughlin will star as the boy wizard, alongside Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley.

Since April, character reveals have garnered mixed reactions. While 11-year-old Dominic McLaughlin's portrayal of Harry Potter has been praised, the casting of Paapa Essiedu, a Black actor, as Snape, a role previously played by Alan Rickman, has sparked controversy. Some viewers also find Nick Frost's portrayal of Rubeus Hagrid unconvincing.

67-year-old Chris Columbus is known for directing "Home Alone" (1990), "Mrs. Doubtfire" (1993), and the first two "Harry Potter" films. He also produced "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" (2004) and "The Help" (2011), the latter earning him an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture.

Director Chris Columbus. Photo: TTMB

The "Harry Potter" series chronicles the adventures of the eponymous young wizard and his two friends at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The first installment, "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," was published on 26/6/1997. The seven-book series has sold 500 million copies, making it the best-selling book series in history, translated into 73 languages. The final installment, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," published on 21/7/2007, sold 15 million copies worldwide within 24 hours. The books were adapted into an eight-film series, grossing $7.7 billion globally and receiving 12 Oscar nominations.

Cat Tien (according to Variety, Hollywood Reporter)