'Harry Potter' director rules out original cast reunion due to J.K. Rowling controversy Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY August 31, 2025 at 8:43 PM Will a "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" film starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint ever happen? Don't hold your breath, director Chris Col...
- - 'Harry Potter' director rules out original cast reunion due to J.K. Rowling controversy
Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY August 31, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Will a "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" film starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint ever happen? Don't hold your breath, director Chris Columbus says.
Columbus, who directed the first two movies in the "Harry Potter" franchise, has previously expressed interest in turning the "Cursed Child" stage play into a film that would bring back the original cast. But in a new interview with The Sunday Times published on Saturday, Aug. 30, the filmmaker said this is no longer possible due to author J.K. Rowling's anti-trans controversy.
"It's never going to happen," he said. "It's gotten so complicated with all the political stuff. Everyone in the cast has their own opinion, which is different from her opinion, which makes it impossible."
Columbus added, "I haven't spoken to Miss Rowling in a decade or so, so I have no idea what's going on with her, but I keep very close contact with Daniel Radcliffe and I just spoke to him a few days ago. I still have a great relationship with all the kids in the cast."
Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson in a promotional photo for "Harry Potter."
Rowling, the author of the "Harry Potter" books, has become a divisive figure in recent years due to her anti-trans views. In April, she again drew backlash when she celebrated a U.K. Supreme Court ruling that the definition of a woman refers to biological sex under equality legislation.
Radcliffe, Watson and Grint have all made it known that they disagree with the author's views on the transgender community.
J.K. Rowling says 'Harry Potter' stars who've criticized her anti-trans views 'can save their apologies'
"Transgender women are women," Radcliffe said in 2020. "Any statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of transgender people and goes against all advice given by professional health care associations who have far more expertise on this subject matter than either (Rowling) or I."
"Harry Potter and the Cursed Child," which opened on the West End in 2016, takes place 19 years after "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" and features the return of an older Harry, Hermione and Ron. In a 2021 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Columbus revealed he wanted to bring the play to the big screen with the original film trio.
J.K. Rowling celebrated UK Supreme Court ruling with a cigar. Backlash was swift.
J.K. Rowling attends the premiere of "Fantastic Beasts: The Secret of Dumbledore" on March 29, 2022 in London, England.
"A version of 'Cursed Child' with Dan, Rupert and Emma at the right age, it's cinematic bliss," he said at the time. "If you're a film nerd or cinephile, it's kind of like what J.J. (Abrams) did with 'Star Wars.' ... I think that would be the same situation for 'Harry Potter' fans. To able to actually see these adult actors now back in these roles? Oh, yeah. It would be amazingly fun to make that film — or two films."
Since then, HBO announced a new "Harry Potter" television series, which will adapt the original books starring young actors in the lead roles of Harry, Ron and Hermione. Rowling is a producer on the show, and she says she "worked closely" with the writers.
In a recent appearance on the "Rest Is Entertainment" podcast, Columbus said that while he's "excited" to see the HBO show, he was surprised when he saw a photo of Nick Frost as Hagrid, adding that the costume looked quite similar to the way Hagrid appeared in his "Potter" films.
"He's wearing the exact same costume that we designed for Hagrid," Columbus said. "Part of me was like, 'What's the point?' I thought everything was going to be different, but it's more of the same."
Though a "Cursed Child" movie may not be in the cards, Tom Felton announced in June that he will reprise his film role of Draco Malfoy in the play beginning in November. Felton told Variety he is "not really that attuned to" the controversy surrounding Rowling, adding, "I have not seen anything bring the world together more than 'Potter,' and she's responsible for that, so I'm incredibly grateful."
Contributing: Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY; Reuters
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Harry Potter' director rules out 'Cursed Child' film over J.K. Rowling
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