Chris Columbus Has Zero Interest in Reliving Harry Potter Nostalgia

Avery Sinclair here, your favorite cynic with a penchant for pointing out the emperor’s lack of clothes. If you were expecting a glowing endorsement of the HBO Harry Potter series from the man who directed the first three films, you’re in for a disappointment. Chris Columbus isn’t exactly thrilled about seeing his old work regurgitated—no matter how “faithful” it claims to be.

Let’s cut through the hype—because apparently, Columbus already did. In a recent interview with *Deadline* ahead of his *The Rest is Entertainment* podcast appearance, the *Home Alone* director made one thing abundantly clear: he’s not impressed by the idea of rehashing the same visual aesthetic that defined the original films. When he saw Nick Frost suited up as Hagrid, he didn’t gasp in awe—he did a double take. “I’m seeing these photographs online,” Columbus said, “and he’s wearing the exact same costume that we designed for Hagrid. Part of me was like: What’s the point?”

Oh, the irony. The man who helped create the blueprint for the Wizarding World is now watching it get replicated like a poorly photocopied textbook. And while he’s not offended—“It’s very flattering for me, because I’m like, that’s exactly the Hagrid costume that we designed”—he’s clearly not excited either. “It’s all going to be the same,” he added. “Part of it is sort of déjà vu all over again.”

So much for innovation.

But let’s not mistake this for sour grapes. Columbus isn’t bitter. He’s just bored. “Jealous? No,” he said flatly. “It’s time to move on.” He’s proud of what he accomplished with *Sorcerer’s Stone*, *Chamber of Secrets*, and yes, even *Prisoner of Azkaban* (though he didn’t direct that one, he did co-produce it). He’s also not blind to the potential benefits of a long-form series. “The great thing about it,” he told *Variety*, “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.”

Fair point. There were scenes he had to cut—like the potions riddle in *Sorcerer’s Stone* and the ever-elusive Peeves the Poltergeist. “We could never get that incredible scene into the film, and I’m sure it’ll be in the HBO series,” Columbus admitted. So, for him, the series is less about nostalgia and more about finally seeing the full picture.

Still, the casting announcements don’t exactly scream originality. Anton Lesser is stepping into John Hurt’s iconic shoes as Garrick Ollivander. Rory Wilmot is Neville Longbottom, Louise Brealey is Madam Hooch, and Amos Kitson is Dudley Dursley. And of course, newcomers Arabella Stanton, Dominic McLaughlin, and Alastair Stout are the new Harry, Hermione, and Ron. Columbus says they’re “unique actors” and that he’s “excited for the world to witness their magic together onscreen.” But let’s be real—no one’s watching this for the acting. They’re watching to see if this reboot can actually justify its existence.

And honestly? So far, it’s not looking promising.

Sources: Celebrity Storm and Deadline, Variety, E! News
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