A few hours ago the news broke that Warner is closing the final details of the deal to make a ‘Harry Potter’ television series that will retell the story of the seven books written by JK Rowling. A movement that fully fits with the study’s need to revitalize successful sagas -there we have the recent announcement of new films from ‘The Lord of the rings’– but with which surely have much more to lose than gain.
For my part, I am clear that the Harry Potter series in the terms that are being leaked would be a mistake. The first element against him is that the saga starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint it remains universally loved, which is why moviegoers return to it every once in a while. There it seems clear that fans would flock to a possible sequel with the original trio, but they have not been too willing to do so, especially Radcliffe.
Dead end?
That closed door is an impossible hurdle for Warner to overcome, as the possibility of a sequel with other actors could be one of the biggest business catastrophes in history. Ruled out that possibility, the study also had another option that presented few incentives: continue with the saga of ‘Fantastic Beasts’.
This expansion of the magical world of Harry Potter seemed destined to bring great joy to the studio, but each new installment has raised less than the previous one, to the point that ‘Fantastic Beasts: Dumbledore’s Secrets’ most likely reported losses for Warner. Hence the initial plan to make five films seems to have been scrappedsince the fourth installment has been paralyzed and it is increasingly doubtful that it will be done.
That has left Warner in a difficult situation, because the idea of continuing to explore the past has few commercial incentives and the possibility of a sequel seems almost impossible. That only leaves the possibility of going back to the story that we were told so well throughout 8 movies. Sure, quite a few elements of the books were left out, but it’s also apparent that there isn’t an appetite to retell us the same thing. Perhaps in 20 or 30 years things will change, but right now the situation is that.
For now, the series is going to face a series of comparisons that force it to do an outstanding job so that it does not immediately turn against it. This is going to affect it at all levels, but especially in everything related to the casting, since it is no longer just that the interpretations of Radcliffe, Watson and Grint are very dear, because to that we must add the exceptional cast that this adaptation had. cinematographic.
All this means that what seems like a sure hit can end up becoming a constant head color for Warner, because of course many would see at least the first episode, But how many of those viewers are likely to put her to the broth, that the nicest thing they say about her is how unnecessary she is and get off the boat at the first opportunity? And cheap is precisely not going to be.
To this we must add the current rejection of many fans of the franchise towards JK Rowling. That may not have affected ‘Hogwarts Legacy’ -although some controversy has been eaten-, but here there is that previous adaptation that calls into question the need to make the series. And, of course, Rowling will be involved in it, perhaps not as showrunner, but overseeing the adaptation to make sure it stays true to the books. It will be impossible for them to want to get away from the terrible image that the writer drags when the time comes for the premiere.
All of which leads to the fact that the ‘Harry Potter’ series may seem like a surefire hit on paper, but when push comes to shove it’s going to require a historic investment for it to not be an outright fiasco and there’s no guarantee that the public really want to see it beyond the initial curiosity. And the chances of her being rejected are too high to gamble..
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