HBO Max has confirmed a 10-year plan for a TV series reboot of Harry Potter.
The series will not only be based on the same novels the movie franchise was - written by JK Rowling - but the best-selling author is also set to serve as an executive producer on the reboot.
Harry Potter fans have flocked to social media, divided over the announcement.
The TV series has been in the works since 2021 and Max's description of the series reads, as per The Hollywood Reporter: "The stories from each of Rowling’s Harry Potter books will become a decade-long series produced with the same epic craft, love and care this global franchise is known for.
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"The series will feature a new cast to lead a new generation of fandom, full of the fantastic detail, much loved characters and dramatic locations that Harry Potter fans have loved for over 25 years.
"Each season will be authentic to the original books and bring Harry Potter and these incredible adventures to new audiences around the world, while the original, classic and beloved films will remain at the core of the franchise and available to watch globally."
Despite the fanbase's devotion to the franchise, fans have been left divided over the confirmation of a 10-year-old TV series.
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Some were thrilled with the continuation of the magic.
One Twitter user commented: "This series will be Hogwarts Legacy 2.0, I can't wait."
"Long overdue," another added.
A third said: "Yes!!!! Finally!!! I love the movies, but they are not good adaptations of the books. Characters that i love like Snape, Ginny and the Weasley twins can finally shine. These four are amazing in the books but have almost no screen time in the movies."
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However, others were resolute the franchise should have ended when it did.
"There goes my childhood," one user wrote.
A second commented: "A Harry Potter reboot is NOT needed."
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"NOBODY. Wants this. Let the originals rest and continue to inspire the future," another echoed.
Drawing on the controversy that has enshrouded Rowling as a result of her being accused of transphobia, sparked by a series of tweets posted by the author in 2020, a third user said: "Definitely one of the biggest and most blatant cash grabs I’ve seen in a while. I feel bad for the new actors as no matter what, they will be heavily criticised. Sadly, despite HBO being the only guys I would trust with [it], it’s at least 10 years too soon. Very sad."
A final resolved: "I normally never root for a movie or TV show to fail. Even if I don’t like it. Because I understand how hard everyone worked on it, and I want it to succeed. With that said, I hope the Harry Potter reboot fails, and JK Rowling’s net worth plummets."
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Chairman and CEO of HBO and Max Content, Casey Bloys, said: "We are delighted to give audiences the opportunity to discover Hogwarts in a whole new way.
"Harry Potter is a cultural phenomenon and it is clear there is such an enduring love and thirst for the Wizarding World. In partnership with Warner Bros. Television and J.K. Rowling, this new Max Original series will dive deep into each of the iconic books that fans have continued to enjoy for all of these years."
Rowling added: "Max’s commitment to preserving the integrity of my books is important to me, and I’m looking forward to being part of this new adaptation which will allow for a degree of depth and detail only afforded by a long-form television series."
UNILAD has reached out to JK Rowling and HBO Max for comment.
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Topics: JK Rowling, Harry Potter, Film and TV, Entertainment, Social Media, Twitter
Poppy Bilderbeck