Harry Potter has grown to be legendary. The series, which consists of eight fantasy movies, is based on J. K. Rowling’s books of the same name. Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson play the three major characters (Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger, respectively) in the film series primarily produced by David Heyman. Chris Columbus, Alfonso Cuarón, Mike Newell, and David Yates were the series’ four directors. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix’s screenplay was written by Michael Goldenberg, while Steve Kloves authored the scripts for all the other movies. The major plot arc of the ten-year-long film production was Harry Potter’s struggle to defeat his arch-enemy, Lord Voldemort, and save the Wizarding World.
With all the Harry Potter movies ranking among the top-earning movies globally, Warner Bros. Discovery, the owner of the film rights, is looking to revive the franchise. There have been a few efforts to resurrect the Harry Potter series after the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 in 2011, including multiple Fantastic Beasts prequels. The charm of the original series, however, which propelled the on-screen lead actors into prominence, has not been remotely replicated in any of the efforts. Rowling has also recently drawn criticism for her comments against the transgender community and the lack of continuity in the aforementioned Fantastic Beasts movies. Even though we adore Harry Potter (and would undoubtedly see anything produced in the franchise), here’s why a reboot could never measure up to the original movies.
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7 The Original Setting
Warner Bros.
The Harry Potter films were created using real-world locations and built sets. These sets were housed at Leavesden Studios in the UK. After filming commenced, Leavesden Studios and Warner Bros. turned them into a Harry Potter experience called, Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter, where fans could tour the filming locations and interact with bits from the series, viewing the props, costumes, and more. Technically, they could dismantle the tour and reuse the existing sets, but that doesn’t seem right. Fans would always be comparing the reboot to the original films and using the same sets would be strange. It is more likely a reboot would create new unique interpretations of the sets that cater to the story they wish to tell.
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6 The Cast
Warner Bros
Being cast in a franchise like Harry Potter seems like it would be a dream come true. Hilariously enough, Tom Felton, who played Harry’s school rival, Draco Malfoy, said, “I was also one of the only ones who had no idea what Harry Potter was at the time… I think Chris Columbus, the director, recognized this slight disinterest and arrogance in me, which he thought could work for Malfoy.” (per Game Rant) What we do know is that a reboot would mean recasting the beloved characters from the series. They would need child actors around age 11 to portray the incoming students and adults who could be the professors. Fans of Harry Potter have flocked to the internet to share who they think would be great at specific roles. Screen Rant even detailed their choices for 15 casting replacements for a Harry Potter reboot. The problem is: we will always compare a new cast to the old one. Asking questions like, “Did this new actress do as well as Emma Watson at being Hermione Granger?”
5 The Magic
While all of Harry Potter is magical, we’re talking about the actual magic here. When the films first came out in the early-2000s, technology for creating the visuals of magic was different from what it is today. A reboot would more than likely want to make the magic different and update the way spells look when cast. This means the magic itself would be changed and not the same technologically as in the original films.
4 The Connections
Warner Bros. Pictures
The wizarding world was initially introduced to many Harry Potter fans when they were about the same age as Harry was in the first book, and they grew up with the characters. Many people feel that the characters’ maturity matches their own since they went through similar growing pains as the Hogwarts students. The fans have developed deep bonds with one another via reading and viewing these novels and films which are shared interests. Numerous websites, social media pages, and even conventions exist just for bringing Harry Potter enthusiasts together. New fans will undoubtedly be attracted by a reboot, but they won’t understand what it was like to be immersed in the Harry Potter universe from the start of the fandom.
3 The Soundtrack
A reboot would mean a whole new series of films or television episodes, depending on which way the production went. This also means new music to fit the reboot would probably be created. The Harry Potter films’ soundtracks are one of the greatest joys of Harry Potter. The iconic music, actually entitled Hedwig’s Theme, by composer John Williams, has captivated fans from the very beginning of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. The truth is a reboot would probably need fresh music and new music means losing something vital to the original series.
2 The Anticipation
When Warner Bros. began making the Harry Potter films, the books had been published up to Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, which was released in 2000. The first film, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone came out in 2001. Then, the fifth book, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, was released in 2002 and broke records at its debut, selling over 5 million copies on its first day, according to The New York Times. A reboot means new fans to the series will never know what it was like to sit outside in line all night waiting for the next book to be released, just to then read it as quickly as possible, so you could discuss what the film would be like without spoiling it for your friends. The anticipation of not knowing what was coming next and how Harry’s story would end is something a reboot can never give its viewers.
1 The Nostalgia
Many people’s childhoods and most formative times in their lives were — and still are — greatly influenced by Harry Potter. Harry supported us during our academic struggles, bullying confrontations, first kisses, first jobs, and other milestones. We had a connection to the wizarding world that made it an integral part of our life. There will always be those who despise reboots out of principle because they aim to replace the works of literature and character interpretations that those people have come of age with and become emotionally attached to.
No matter what, a reboot of the Harry Potter series would face an uphill battle. The current versions of the films have become so ingrained in society that altering them in any way would almost certainly backfire… unless the reboot contains everything the original films omitted. There would need to be a near-exact replica of the beloved books for there to be any chance of success. To put it simply, the Harry Potter series might be some of the movies that can’t be properly rebooted.
