The wizarding world is getting a fresh start on HBO, but not everyone is convinced it will feel brand new.
Chris Columbus, who directed the first two Harry Potter films, revealed in a recent interview that he experienced a strange sense of déjà vu while looking at photos of Nick Frost as Hagrid in the upcoming series adaptation.
“I thought everything was going to be different, but it’s more of the same,” Columbus admitted, suggesting that the reboot may not be breaking away from the original films as much as fans expected.
The HBO series, announced as a long-term project set to span a decade, promises a more detailed, book-faithful retelling of J.K. Rowling’s stories. Casting choices, however, have sparked heated debates across social media, with many fans split between nostalgia for the original characters and curiosity about the new interpretations.
For Columbus, the feeling of seeing Frost in Hagrid’s iconic beard and giant coat was uncanny — like looking back at a character he helped bring to life over 20 years ago.
The question now: will the series bring fresh magic, or just recycle old spells?