It has been known for a while that Harry Potter is getting a series, and new information or images featuring actors are regularly released. However, the director of the first two films is not really satisfied with the first images.
Which director are we talking about? Chris Columbus directed the first 2 Harry Potter
films (The Sorcerer’s Stone and The Chamber of Secrets). Previously, he was known as a director for Home Alone and Mrs. Doubtfire.
In July 2025, filming began on the new Harry Potter
series from HBO, and during this process, former actors and directors are being questioned about their opinions as new images and information emerge (via Variety). Chris Columbus has now expressed negative opinions in a podcast after seeing an image of the new Hagrid.
It will all be the same
What does he say about the first photos? In the podcast The Rest is Entertainment
(via podcasts.apple.com), host Richard Osman discussed with Chris Columbus among other things about Harry Potter and the new series. He mentioned that he had seen unofficial photos from the set.
He saw photos of Hagrid, who is played by Nick Frost, and was shocked at how similar it was to the old films. He explains:
So, I see these photos… and he is wearing exactly the same costume that we designed for Hagrid. A part of me thought: What’s the deal? […] I thought everything would be different, but it’s more of the same. It will all be the same.
You can see a first glimpse of the new Hagrid here:
He questions why the series seemingly makes everything similar to the original films. He also feels flattered that they are using his old design, and finds at least exciting what the new series will do with the old elements. On the other hand, it feels to him like a déjà-vu
.
In the podcast, he also emphasizes that he is not jealous. He is proud of the first films and would move forward.
What is Chris Columbus doing currently? He will release the film The Thursday Murder Club on Netflix on August 28, 2025. This is a crime comedy featuring Hellen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan among others. As a producer, he was recently involved in the horror film Nosferatu.
What potential does a new series about Harry Potter have? Chris Columbus’s critique is not absurd, as the series should utilize its potential to tell more than the films did. With more runtime, there can be more room for the story, the characters, and Hogwarts itself.
The series thus has the opportunity to do more than the films. However, if that is not achieved, one cannot prevent die-hard fans from comparing the series to the films. Using similar costumes is not a strong indication of how the series will develop. The books certainly provide many details that were left out in the films: Harry Potter: 10 details that are simply better in the books
