It’s hard to believe that it’s been 20 years since the first “Harry Potter” film graced the big screen. But two decades, eight films, two spinoff movies and a theater play later, the original stars are reuniting.
The magical trio — Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint — are coming together for the “Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts” retrospective special on HBO Max.
But it looks like one VIP doesn’t seem to be joining them: the creator of the Wizarding World herself and author of the famed Hogwarts universe, J.K. Rowling, who made some controversial comments about the trans community last year.
The Post reached out to Rowling’s reps for comment.
Other stars set to join the three actors include director Chris Columbus, Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Ralph Fiennes, Jason Isaacs, Gary Oldman, Imelda Staunton, Tom Felton, James Phelps, Oliver Phelps, Mark Williams, Bonnie Wright, Alfred Enoch, Matthew Lewis, Evanna Lynch and Ian Hart.
The special will hit HBO Max on New Year’s Day 2022. The episode will also drop on TBS and Cartoon Network in spring 2022 ahead of the release of the franchise’s third spinoff, “Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore.”
A one-minute teaser was released Tuesday, announcing the reunion and featuring highlight clips from across the eight films. The franchise began in 2001 with “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” and ended a decade later with “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2.”
Eight films of the “Harry Potter” series debuted in theaters between 2001 and 2011.HBO“It has been an incredible journey since the debut of the ‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone’ film, and witnessing how it has evolved into this remarkable interconnected universe has been magical to say the least,” Tom Ascheim, president of Warner Bros. Global Kids, Young Adults and Classics said in a statement.
He continued, “This retrospective is a tribute to everyone whose lives were touched by this cultural phenomenon — from the talented cast and crew who poured their heart and soul into this extraordinary film franchise to the passionate fans who continue to keep the Wizarding World spirit alive 20 years later.”
“There’s magic in the air here with this incredible cast, as they all return home to the original sets of Hogwarts, where they began 20 years ago. The excitement is palpable as they prepare to take their fans on a very special and personal journey, through the making of these incredible films,” executive producer Casey Patterson said.
On Tuesday, Watson, 31, shared a throwback photo of herself standing with Grint, 33, and Radcliffe, 32, when they were kids back in the early 2000s. She looked back on her time starring as Hermione Granger and expressed her excitement for the reunion.
Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe as Hermione Granger and Harry Potter, respectively. HBO“‘Harry Potter’ was my home, my family, my world and Hermione (still is) my favorite fictional character of all time. I think a journalist once said it was irritating how many times during an interview I mentioned how lucky I was and started counting… BUT I DAMN WELL KNEW!!! And still know,” the Brown University grad penned.
“I am proud not just of what we as group contributed as actors to the franchise but also as the children that became young adults that walked that path. I look at my fellow cast members now and I am just so proud of who everyone has become as people. I am proud we were kind to each other that we supported one another and that we held up something meaningful,” she continued. “Happy 20th Anniversary Potterheads!”
