While 2011 marked the conclusion of theHarry Potterfilm franchise with the release ofHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2, we knew that wouldn’t be theendend. Indeed, just three years later Warner Bros. found a way to keep the cash cow alive by announcing aFantastic Beasts and Where to Find Themtrilogy scripted byJ.K. Rowlingherself.The first film in that franchisehits theaters this November, with Rowling having already penned the sequel anddirectorDavid Yatesreturning to helm, but with the new playHarry Potter and the Cursed Childpremiering in London this summer (along with the release of the script book worldwide), everyone’s been abuzz wondering if we could see an adult Harry Potter return to the big screen.
The answer is of course we could.Harry Potteris one of the most important franchises in Warner Bros.’ library, so much so that they havean entire development armat the studio devoted to overseeing future films—which as of right now is theFantastic Beasts and Where to Find Themfranchise. While that series will get off the ground later this year by opening up the wizarding world to 1920s New York, which is entirely Potter-free, a rumor is making the rounds that Warner Bros. is already trying to piece together aHarry Potter and the Cursed Childmovie.
TheNY Daily Newsis claiming that the studio is hoping to bringHarry Potter and the Cursed Childto the big screen as early as 2020, with WB focused on gettingDaniel Radcliffeto reprise his role as Harry Potter in a story that revolves around the sons of Potter and Draco Malfoy and their misadventures at and around Hogwarts. The report also claims that the studio is considering turning the 5-hour play into a potential new trilogy. It should be noted that the NY Daily News is not the most reliable of sources, and the validity of this report isn’t necessarily rock solid. For one, the timeline doesn’t make sense.Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them 3is currently slated for release on August 03, 2025—there’s no way the studio would infringe upon this new wizarding world franchise by upstaging it with the release of a brand newHarry Pottermovie in the same year. Moreover, Radcliffe will only be 31 in the year 2020. Potter is in his 40s in the play. Now movie magic could certainly age up the actor, but with theFantastic Beastsfranchise already underway, why rush into things with a performer who is busy exploring all different kinds of roles at the moment? Will Warner Bros. turnHarry Potter and the Cursed Childinto a movie? Undoubtedly. It’s a new piece of canon material that wraps up theHarry Potterstory in dynamic and spectacular fashion,plusit’s based on a story that Rowling herself helped concoct. But are the particulars of this rumor to be believed? I’d wager no.
There are also quite a few obstacles in the practicality of theCursed Childstory that may make it very difficult to adapt to the big screen. Without spoiling anything, there are certain characters who reappear inCursed Childthat may be tough to bring back for a feature film adaptation. Moreover,Emma Watsonwas hesitant to even complete theHarry Potterfranchise, so would she be willing to dive back into a trio of new films so soon? The original trio are a major thematic part ofCursed Child, so it’s kind of impossible to leave them out of a movie adaptation. if I had to guess, I’d say Warner Bros. has been internally discussing the prospect of turningHarry Potter and the Cursed Childinto a movie, but with the understanding that it’s still quite a ways off from being something that’s in active development. Just think, it’d be kind of neat to see 40-year-old Radcliffe, Watson, andRupert Grintreprising their roles in 10 or 15 years, with a cadre of newcomers stepping into the franchise as their children. That’d be a solid way to continue the story without ruffling too many feathers in the talent realm, but the difficulties of turningCursed Childinto a cohesive movie (let alone a trilogy) remain.
So yeah, expect these rumors to continue to swirl, but I’d be surprised if we heard official word from Warner Bros. about aHarry Potter and the Cursed Childmovie happening before theFantastic Beastsfranchise concludes. What do you think, folks? Is turningCursed Childinto a movie a good idea? Do you think Radcliffe, Watson, and Grint would come back? Sound off in the comments below.
