10 Reasons Why The New Harry Potter Adaptation Is Already Hated
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VOICE OVER: Kirsten Ria Squibb
From controversial casting choices to franchise fatigue, the upcoming Harry Potter TV series is already facing significant backlash. Join us as we explore why fans are skeptical about HBO's latest venture into the wizarding world, examining everything from production concerns to behind-the-scenes drama. We'll dive into the show's development issues, including J.K. Rowling's involvement, questionable writer statements, and the challenges of adapting beloved source material for television. Plus, we'll examine why many believe the original films' magic simply can't be recreated. Share your thoughts in the comments.
10 Reasons Why the New Harry Potter Adaptation Is Already Hated
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re looking at ten reasons why the new “Harry Potter” show on HBO is facing controversy.
A Remake Is Not Warranted
One of the most obvious reasons for its hate is, well, its very existence. Many fans are of the opinion that a remake is not warranted, especially considering the age of the franchise. The last “Harry Potter” movie came out as recently as 2011, and they all stand up well to this day. You know, minus some wonky effects in the first movie. And even those who like the idea of a new adaptation are against the concept of a live action remake. Instead, they argue that HBO should have made an animated show. The style would be in keeping with the story’s whimsical tone, and it would differentiate the show from the films. HBO went with the worst option possible.
It’s Solely Profit Driven
Let’s be honest here, HBO did not do this out of some desire to craft a lasting piece of work. They did it to make money, and lots of it. Sure, the structure of television and its longer running times will allow the books to be more accurately adapted, which is what fans have been clamoring for for years. But HBO doesn’t care about pleasing fans of the books. They’re pandering to nostalgia and milking a popular franchise until its corpse is a withered husk. The “Fantastic Beasts” movies weren’t the success that Warner Bros. hoped, so they turned to HBO to just do the books. Again. The fans are seeing through it, and they are not happy.
It Won’t Recapture the Magic of the Films
Remaking “Harry Potter” is like remaking “The Godfather.” You just don’t do it. While the storytelling is admittedly flawed, the technical aspects of the films are second to none, and they hold a very special place in the hearts of millions of fans. The iconic cast filled with some of the most popular British actors in history. The gorgeous sets and filming locations that brought Hogwarts to life. The music. Oh man, the music. These things are all firmly engrained in the minds and memories of an entire generation, and they are all part of a lasting cultural legacy. Call us pessimists, but there’s just no way that the show will be able to recapture that sense of magic. No pun intended.
Curious Writer Statements
Back in 2024, “The Watch” host Andy Greenwald talked about his upcoming job as a writer on the show, and what he said…did not reassure fans. In fact, it just made them even angrier. Greenwald claimed that he had not read all of the books - a fact that upset diehard fans who expect a professional writer working on an adaptation to be familiar with the source material. No, he doesn’t have to have Harry Potter Wiki knowledge, but to have not even read them? It also begs the question of why he took the job in the first place. We have one idea, and it’s obviously not to work on a project that he is passionate about.
Fan Division
It also doesn’t help that the “Harry Potter” fandom is already deeply divided as is, which doesn’t bode well for the reception of the show. Some are excited about a new adaptation that will accurately capture the nuances and depth of the novels. Others think the movies are perfect. Some think HBO is the right home for a project of this magnitude. Others think that TV won’t do the books justice. Some don’t care about the whole J.K. Rowling controversy are on board with more “Harry Potter.” Others have vowed to not touch the franchise again. It’s pretty much a lose-lose scenario for HBO. No matter what they do, someone is going to be upset.
The Limitations of TV
As we mentioned, some fans don’t like the idea of a “Harry Potter” adaptation being on TV, sensing the budgetary limitations of the medium. There are very few shows that match the cinematic ambitions of the films, except maybe “Game of Thrones,” which, admittedly, HBO pulled off. There was a ton of money thrown at the “Harry Potter” films to give them a cinematic scope - money that HBO may not have. For example, “The Half-Blood Prince” cost $250 million to make, and that was for just 140 minutes of screentime. With inflation, that’s about $370 million! By comparison, the entire last season of “Game of Thrones,” totaling over seven hours, cost just $90 million. Let’s face it - the show is probably going to look cheap.
Weird Pacing
The current plan is for HBO to adapt one book per season, but even that opens up problems. The issue with the movies is that the later films were forced to cut out large chunks of the novel to meet a reasonable running time, and the opposite will be true for the show. HBO announced that season one will comprise eight episodes. How will they stretch “Philosopher’s Stone” into eight hours of content? Let’s say they really take their time. Then how will they do, say, “Order of the Phoenix,” which is three and a half times as long? Will they do 28 episodes? Of course not. So we’ll be stretched at the start and rushed at the end, opening up some major pacing issues.
Following “Fantastic Beasts”
This new show has the very unfortunate distinction of following the “Fantastic Beasts” movies, which left a really sour taste in everybody’s mouths. The first movie was good enough, but the wheels fell off hard after that. “The Crimes of Grindelwald” was a mess - not to mention the lowest-grossing entry in the Wizarding World franchise, with a box office gross of $654 million. It held that distinction for four years, until “The Secrets of Dumbledore” beat it with just $400 million. Yes, it was released in 2022 amidst the lingering fears of COVID. But you know what else was released in 2022? “Top Gun: Maverick,” which did $1.5 billion. Let’s face it - the franchise failed.
J.K. Rowling’s Involvement
A lot of ink has been spilled regarding J.K. Rowling over the last couple of years. Her outspoken views have rubbed a lot of people the wrong way, and they have undoubtedly cast a shadow over the legacy of the franchise. And that extends to the new show. It would face controversy simply by existing, as many people have soured on the “Harry Potter” brand. But Rowling’s heavy involvement has only made it worse. Rowling is an executive producer on the show, and according to HBO CEO Casey Bloys, she is “very, very involved” in the behind-the-scenes process. Some would rather that Rowling divorce herself from the series, so hearing that she is so prominently involved has proved greatly upsetting.
Controversial Casting
Well, let’s address the elephant in the room first - the casting of Paapa Essiedu as Snape. Not only has a major character been race swapped, which many people don’t like in the first place, but it’s a character who is explicitly described as being a sickly, pale white dude. Furthermore, it’s just going to make characters like Harry and the Marauders look racist by not liking him. And of all the characters to make Black, why the reformed wizard Nazi? But that’s not all. John Lithgow has been cast as Dumbledore, which is also a problem because a) he’s American, and b) he’s 80 years old. Not to send bad juju, but we might have another Richard Harris situation on our hands.
Are you looking forward to the series, or do you have doubts? Let us know in the comments below!
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re looking at ten reasons why the new “Harry Potter” show on HBO is facing controversy.
A Remake Is Not Warranted
One of the most obvious reasons for its hate is, well, its very existence. Many fans are of the opinion that a remake is not warranted, especially considering the age of the franchise. The last “Harry Potter” movie came out as recently as 2011, and they all stand up well to this day. You know, minus some wonky effects in the first movie. And even those who like the idea of a new adaptation are against the concept of a live action remake. Instead, they argue that HBO should have made an animated show. The style would be in keeping with the story’s whimsical tone, and it would differentiate the show from the films. HBO went with the worst option possible.
It’s Solely Profit Driven
Let’s be honest here, HBO did not do this out of some desire to craft a lasting piece of work. They did it to make money, and lots of it. Sure, the structure of television and its longer running times will allow the books to be more accurately adapted, which is what fans have been clamoring for for years. But HBO doesn’t care about pleasing fans of the books. They’re pandering to nostalgia and milking a popular franchise until its corpse is a withered husk. The “Fantastic Beasts” movies weren’t the success that Warner Bros. hoped, so they turned to HBO to just do the books. Again. The fans are seeing through it, and they are not happy.
It Won’t Recapture the Magic of the Films
Remaking “Harry Potter” is like remaking “The Godfather.” You just don’t do it. While the storytelling is admittedly flawed, the technical aspects of the films are second to none, and they hold a very special place in the hearts of millions of fans. The iconic cast filled with some of the most popular British actors in history. The gorgeous sets and filming locations that brought Hogwarts to life. The music. Oh man, the music. These things are all firmly engrained in the minds and memories of an entire generation, and they are all part of a lasting cultural legacy. Call us pessimists, but there’s just no way that the show will be able to recapture that sense of magic. No pun intended.
Curious Writer Statements
Back in 2024, “The Watch” host Andy Greenwald talked about his upcoming job as a writer on the show, and what he said…did not reassure fans. In fact, it just made them even angrier. Greenwald claimed that he had not read all of the books - a fact that upset diehard fans who expect a professional writer working on an adaptation to be familiar with the source material. No, he doesn’t have to have Harry Potter Wiki knowledge, but to have not even read them? It also begs the question of why he took the job in the first place. We have one idea, and it’s obviously not to work on a project that he is passionate about.
Fan Division
It also doesn’t help that the “Harry Potter” fandom is already deeply divided as is, which doesn’t bode well for the reception of the show. Some are excited about a new adaptation that will accurately capture the nuances and depth of the novels. Others think the movies are perfect. Some think HBO is the right home for a project of this magnitude. Others think that TV won’t do the books justice. Some don’t care about the whole J.K. Rowling controversy are on board with more “Harry Potter.” Others have vowed to not touch the franchise again. It’s pretty much a lose-lose scenario for HBO. No matter what they do, someone is going to be upset.
The Limitations of TV
As we mentioned, some fans don’t like the idea of a “Harry Potter” adaptation being on TV, sensing the budgetary limitations of the medium. There are very few shows that match the cinematic ambitions of the films, except maybe “Game of Thrones,” which, admittedly, HBO pulled off. There was a ton of money thrown at the “Harry Potter” films to give them a cinematic scope - money that HBO may not have. For example, “The Half-Blood Prince” cost $250 million to make, and that was for just 140 minutes of screentime. With inflation, that’s about $370 million! By comparison, the entire last season of “Game of Thrones,” totaling over seven hours, cost just $90 million. Let’s face it - the show is probably going to look cheap.
Weird Pacing
The current plan is for HBO to adapt one book per season, but even that opens up problems. The issue with the movies is that the later films were forced to cut out large chunks of the novel to meet a reasonable running time, and the opposite will be true for the show. HBO announced that season one will comprise eight episodes. How will they stretch “Philosopher’s Stone” into eight hours of content? Let’s say they really take their time. Then how will they do, say, “Order of the Phoenix,” which is three and a half times as long? Will they do 28 episodes? Of course not. So we’ll be stretched at the start and rushed at the end, opening up some major pacing issues.
Following “Fantastic Beasts”
This new show has the very unfortunate distinction of following the “Fantastic Beasts” movies, which left a really sour taste in everybody’s mouths. The first movie was good enough, but the wheels fell off hard after that. “The Crimes of Grindelwald” was a mess - not to mention the lowest-grossing entry in the Wizarding World franchise, with a box office gross of $654 million. It held that distinction for four years, until “The Secrets of Dumbledore” beat it with just $400 million. Yes, it was released in 2022 amidst the lingering fears of COVID. But you know what else was released in 2022? “Top Gun: Maverick,” which did $1.5 billion. Let’s face it - the franchise failed.
J.K. Rowling’s Involvement
A lot of ink has been spilled regarding J.K. Rowling over the last couple of years. Her outspoken views have rubbed a lot of people the wrong way, and they have undoubtedly cast a shadow over the legacy of the franchise. And that extends to the new show. It would face controversy simply by existing, as many people have soured on the “Harry Potter” brand. But Rowling’s heavy involvement has only made it worse. Rowling is an executive producer on the show, and according to HBO CEO Casey Bloys, she is “very, very involved” in the behind-the-scenes process. Some would rather that Rowling divorce herself from the series, so hearing that she is so prominently involved has proved greatly upsetting.
Controversial Casting
Well, let’s address the elephant in the room first - the casting of Paapa Essiedu as Snape. Not only has a major character been race swapped, which many people don’t like in the first place, but it’s a character who is explicitly described as being a sickly, pale white dude. Furthermore, it’s just going to make characters like Harry and the Marauders look racist by not liking him. And of all the characters to make Black, why the reformed wizard Nazi? But that’s not all. John Lithgow has been cast as Dumbledore, which is also a problem because a) he’s American, and b) he’s 80 years old. Not to send bad juju, but we might have another Richard Harris situation on our hands.
Are you looking forward to the series, or do you have doubts? Let us know in the comments below!
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