Overview

• Columbus told Variety he will not be involved in the HBO reboot, saying, “No, I’ve done it, you saw my version,” and that there is nothing left for him to do in the franchise.
• He said he disagrees with J.K. Rowling’s statements on transgender issues and called the situation “very sad,” noting his preference to separate the artist from the art.
• The director endorsed the series format’s ability to restore book material cut from the films, citing Peeves and a potions sequence as examples likely to return.
• HBO’s adaptation is in production in the U.K. with a planned book-per-season structure and a first season targeted for early 2027 consisting of eight episodes.
• Rowling serves as an executive producer as HBO’s Casey Bloys has said the show will not be infused with her personal views; the cast includes Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton, Alastair Stout, John Lithgow and Nick Frost.