See Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint in ‘Harry Potter’ special
A first look at HBO's 'Harry Potter 20th anniversary: Return to Hogwarts'
The first image from HBO’s ‘Harry Potter 20th anniversary: Return to Hogwarts’ special is here, showing Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint reunited in Gryffindor’s common room.
The TV special, which was teased earlier this week with a short trailer showing Hagrid star Robbie Coltrane and Arthur Weasley actor Mark Williams, comes as fans celebrate the 20th anniversary of ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’ being released in cinemas back in November 2001.
Now, HBO has shared a picture showing Radcliffe, who portrayed Harry Potter in the film franchise, chatting with Watson (Hermione Granger) and Grint (Ron Weasley), in the Gryffindor common room, the set of which is located at Warner Bros. Studios in London where the special has also been filmed.
Author J.K. Rowling is notably absent from both the teaser video and the new image. While the official reason for her absence is yet to be confirmed, the author has faced criticism in recent years due to comments about transgender people.
Radcliffe, Grint and Watson will all appear in the special, which is set scheduled to air on New Year’s Day, alongside fellow stars Helena Bonham Carter, Ralph Fiennes, Jason Isaacs, Gary Oldman, Tom Felton, James Phelps, Oliver Phelps, Bonnie Wright, Alfred Enoch, and Evanna Lynch.
As well as interviews with the cast, which are said to be going more in-depth than ever before, the anniversary reunion special will also include never-seen-before clips.
In related news, ‘Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone’ director Chris Columbus admitted recently that he would be interested in returning to the series to direct a film based on Broadway spinoff Harry Potter and The Cursed Child.
The filmmaker, who first directed the first film in the franchise in 2001, has reflected on the Harry Potter universe 20 years on and noted he’s ready to direct a screen version of the Broadway hit.
The story takes place 19 years after the events of ‘The Deathly Hallows’ and follows Harry and his younger son Albus Severus Potter, who is about to begin his time at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.