Harry Potter Series Takes Big Step Forward
Last April, Warner Bros. Discovery announced an ambitious goal to bring Harry Potter to the small screen as part of a 10-year plan. Now, the studio is taking a major leap towards bringing that goal into reality as writers pitch their creative visions to the studio’s streaming service, Max.
Harry Potter Writers In The Mix
Sources reveal that a group of writers, including Martha Hillier, Kathleen Jordan, Tom Moran, and Michael Lesslie, have been commissioned by Max to present their ideas for adapting J.K. Rowling’s seven-book series.
The writers, a diverse mix of Brits and Americans, are currently engaged in a series of pitch meetings to reimagine the Harry Potter franchise.
JK Rowling’s Involvement Unclear
The initial round of pitch sessions recently took place in Los Angeles, with top choices expected to advance to the next round in the UK.
While details about J.K. Rowling’s involvement in the process remain unclear, the Harry Potter author, who resides in Edinburgh, Scotland, is anticipated to play a key role in decision-making as the series’ executive producer.
Open To Many Voices
Interestingly, these pitch sessions are not a battle royale where the best writer will win. Reportedly, Max is open to involving multiple writers, suggesting that more than one idea based on the Harry Potter universe could be developed.
However, sources emphasize that the project is still in its early stages, and representatives for Max and Warner Bros. Television have declined to comment on the ongoing developments.
Many Big Projects On Resumes
Among the writers in contention is Martha Hillier, a British executive producer. She could be a good fit considering the fantasy aspects of Harry Potter as she’s known for her work on Netflix and BBC’s fantasy series The Last Kingdom.
Kathleen Jordan, creator of the Netflix series Teenage Bounty Hunters, is also in the mix, along with British writer Tom Moran, the creator of Amazon’s The Devil’s Hour.
Michael Lesslie, known for his work on The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, is also vying for a role in the project, his Hunger Games work showing how he could be a great fit for adapting young adult novels like Harry Potter.
Harry Potter Series Plans
Brontë Film and TV will produce the Harry Potter series, chaired by Rowling’s agent Neil Blair, and Warner Bros. Television.
Executive producers include Blair, Ruth Kenley-Letts (Brontë CEO), and David Heyman, who produced the original Harry Potter movies and is in talks to executive produce the TV series.
In April, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav expressed excitement about the upcoming series, stating that it would be a “decade-long” journey on Max.
The project, initiated in early 2023, is a testament to the enduring global popularity of Rowling’s Wizarding World, which extends beyond the Harry Potter books to include theme parks, stage plays, and successful film franchises.
The Harry Potter Franchise
However, just how enduring the popularity of Harry Potter is is still in question. The franchise’s fan base has decreased over recent years as controversy surrounded Rowling and some of the actors of the spin-off series, Fantastic Beasts.
However, even as Harry Potter tattoo removal videos grow more popular on TikTok, last year’s Wizarding World video game, Hogwarts Legacy, became the best-selling game of 2023.
Only time will tell if Zaslav’s timing is impeccable. Or will the new Harry Potter reboot go down the same disappointing road so many remakes of recent years have followed? After all, it’s a pretty ambitious goal to try and redo one of the most popular franchises of all time.
