Max (formerly HBO Max), the streaming platform that has been making waves in the entertainment industry, has recently signed a huge deal with J.K. Rowling to produce a Harry Potter television series. This news has been met with mixed reactions, with some fans excited about the prospect of a new adaptation and others concerned about the potential for the series to deviate from the source material.
Despite the controversy, a Harry Potter series is a good thing and Max is the perfect platform to bring this beloved world to life. Here’s why.
Max Signs Huge Deal With J.K. Rowling Despite Controversy
First, let’s address the controversy surrounding the deal. Some fans are worried that a new adaptation of the Harry Potter series could ruin the magic of the books and films. Others are concerned about J.K. Rowling’s recent controversial statements, as broken down by Glamour, and fear that the series could be used as a platform for furthering her harmful views. Indeed, Rowling is set to be listed as an executive producer on the upcoming series based on her books (according to Deadline), but her amount of physical involvement is currently unknown.
In that same article, Max assured fans that the series will stay true to the original source material. Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO, of HBO & Max Content, said, “We are delighted to give audiences the opportunity to discover Hogwarts in a whole new way. Harry Potter is a cultural phenomenon and it is clear there is such an enduring love and thirst for the Wizarding World. In partnership with Warner Bros. Television and J.K. Rowling, this new Max Original series will dive deep into each of the iconic books that fans have continued to enjoy for all of these years.”
How a Harry Potter TV Series Is a Good Thing
So, why is a Harry Potter TV series a good thing? For starters, the books are incredibly rich in detail and world-building, which is difficult to capture in a two-hour film. A television series will allow for more time to explore the nuances of the story and characters. A Harry Potter series will also allow the creators to delve deeper into the wizarding world and its inhabitants. This could include exploring magical creatures, such as Buckbeak and Hedwig, as well as Hogwarts professors like Maggie Smith’s beloved Professor McGonagall.
Another reason a Harry Potter series will be a good thing is that it will provide an opportunity for new generations to fall in love with the books. While there are some children who were able to read the books as they were being released, many kids were unable to do so and instead watched the movies first. This means they haven’t had the opportunity to fall in love with the books or characters. A Harry Potter series would give them a chance to do so, which will hopefully inspire them to read the books. A TV series will also allow these kids to watch a story unfold in front of them and get a firsthand account of what it was like for Harry, Ron, and Hermione. A Harry Potter series would also give fans an opportunity to see their favorite characters on-screen again.
Additionally, a series will give fans, both young and old, the opportunity to see their favorite moments from the books come to life in a way that the films never quite captured. The Harry Potter series was so successful because it was able to capture the imagination of people of all ages. A TV series will give fans a chance to relive this magic, and it would also be an amazing opportunity for new generations of young readers to fall in love with the books or characters. Imagine seeing the Battle of Hogwarts or the Triwizard Tournament play out over several episodes, with all the details and subplots that were left out of the films.
The Harry Potter Films Messed Up
Speaking of the films, it’s no secret that they made some missteps along the way. Characters were omitted or changed, important plot points were rushed or left out entirely, and the tone of the later films was much darker than the books. The films also added some scenes that were never in the books. The most notable was the scene where Bellatrix Lestrange and some of the other Death Eaters burn down the Weasley family home, The Burrow, in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Another instance of changing things from the books to the movies was when Hermione punches Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, which many fans felt wasn’t necessary and detracted from Hermione’s character development over the course of the series.
These changes weren’t all bad, but they did make the films a bit less faithful to the source material. And when it comes down to it, fans really want their stories to be as accurate as possible. That’s why many of them are so excited about this new series and what it could mean for future adaptations. A television series has the potential to correct these mistakes and give fans the adaptation they deserve. With multiple seasons to work with, the series can take its time and do justice to the story.
What the Future of Harry Potter Might Look Like
Of course, there are still many questions about what the series will actually look like. We know Warner Bros. Discovery, who owns Max, plans to follow the books with a direct adaptation, but some details are still unknown. We don’t know if the series will be set in modern-day or a different time period, and we don’t know if it will include any new characters or storylines from the books that weren’t included in the movies. We also don’t know exactly how many seasons it will run for, but there are rumors each book will get its own season. With seven feature-rich, detailed books to work with, there is plenty of material to cover.
Another question is whether the original cast will make appearances in any way (i.e. flash-forwards?), or if the series will only feature an entirely new generation of actors. We’re sure to get more information as the series gets closer to release, but for now, it’s exciting just knowing that this fantasy phenomenon has a new life on the small screen. One thing is certain: the Harry Potter fandom is alive and well, and fans are eagerly anticipating this new adaptation. Whether it’s a faithful retelling of the books or a fresh take on the wizarding world, a Harry Potter series on Max has the potential to be something truly magical.
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
