On November 16, 2001, the first film in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, was released for the first time in the United States, and it has been exactly 20 years since then. On the 16th of this month, Warner Bros. Pictures announced that the three lead actors of Harry Potter are reuniting with several other actors to shoot a special commemorative film that will be released on HBO Max on January 1, 2022. Hogwarts House, Haedwig the Owl, and "the man who can't even mention his name" will all return to the audience's sight. Harry Potter fans can temporarily withdraw from the world of "Magical Awakening" and reminisce about more authentic magic stories.
Harry Potter is "back"
Seven books, eight movies, multiple theme parks, millions of book sales, a Broadway show, several spin-offs... This big IP, loved by people all over the world, has left an indelible mark on millions of "Muggles". At this time, it has been 14 years since the novel of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was published, 10 years after the film of the same name, and 3 years after the spin-off film Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them 2.
But just on the 16th, Warner Bros. Pictures announced that the three main stars of the Harry Potter series, Daniel Radcliffe (as Harry), Rupert Grint (as Ron), and Emma Watson (as Hermione), will be with Chris Columbus, director of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, along with many other actors from the series' eight films. Co-produced a special commemorative film for HBO Max to celebrate the first release of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone 20 years ago.
In addition to the three core stars, other movie stars who participated in the commemoration include Helena Bolham Carter (Sirius sister Bellatrix), Roby Cotrani (Hagrid), Ralph Fienne (Voldemort), Jason Isaacs (Malfoy's father), Gary Oldman (Sirius), Imelda Staunton (Professor Umbridge), Tom Felton (Malfoy), James Phelps (Fred Weasley), Oliver Phelps (George Weasley), Mark Williams (Arthur Weasley), Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley), Alfred Enoch (Dean Thomas), Matthew Lewis (Neville), Yvinna Lynch (Luna) and Ian Hart (Professor Quirrell).
It is understood that the film, titled "Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts", will premiere on January 1, 2022 on Warner streaming platform HBO Max. HBO Max said the special film will "tell a fascinating production story through new in-depth interviews and actor dialogues." In addition, all 8 Harry Potter movies will be rebroadcast on the streaming platform.
"The Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone has embarked on an incredible journey, and we've seen how it evolved into the extraordinary, interconnected universe it is today." Tom Ascheim, director of Warner Bros.'s Global Children, Teens and Classics division, said in a statement. "This retrospective pays tribute to everyone who has changed their lives as a result of this cultural phenomenon – whether it's the dedicated hearts and souls, the talented cast and crew to this extraordinary film, or the passionate fans who have brought the spirit of this wizarding world alive 20 years later."
Return to Hogwarts was co-produced by Warner Bros. Unscripted Television and Warner Horizons at the Warner Factory in London, the birthplace of Harry Potter. Casey Patterson from Kathy Patterson Entertainment is the film's executive producer. Patterson said: "When these incredible actors go back to the original set of Hogwarts 20 years ago, the air here is full of magic. The excitement that they're preparing to take fans on a very special and personal journey by making these incredible movies is palpable. ”
It is reported that on November 28, EST, the "bracket test match" program "Harry Potter: Hogwarts House Competition" that pre-heated the film will first be broadcast on TBS and Cartoon Channel. The event will be hosted by British actress Helen Mirren in four parts where fans will compete for the title trophy in the four major college tournaments, with cameos from Harry Potter film actors Tom Felton, Simon Fisher Becker (Fat Friar), Shirley Henderson (Myrtle) and Luke Janbrad (Lee Jordan), as well as superfans, comedians Pete Davidson and Jay Renault.
Absent original author
The news of the reunion of the lead actors in the Harry Potter series has triggered a lot of memories among netizens at home and abroad, and fans have even lamented the unfortunate deaths of actors such as Richard Harris (Professor Dumbledore in the first and second films) and Alan Rickman (Professor Snape), lamenting that they can no longer "return to Hogwarts". However, absent is also the most central character of the entire "Harry Potter" series: the original author J. K. Rowling.
It is understood that due to Rowling's statements on transgender issues in recent years, there has been a rift between her and the actors and fans of the Harry Potter film series. The incident began in 2018, when the UK government proposed reforms to the Gender Identity Act to simplify the identification process for transgender people, but was opposed by gender dualist Maya Forstater, who said that people with female sexual characteristics are real women. This remark made her a huge criticism from public opinion, and even fired by the company.
However, at the end of 2019, Rowling stood up for Forsted, questioning "You lost her job because a woman said 'biological sex is real'?" In June 2020, she commented again on the issue, writing, "Gender is real, and if gender is not real, then the real life of women around the world will be erased."
Rowling's statement was almost protested by all the actors and fans of the "Harry Potter" magical universe. Harry actor Redcliffe said, "Transgender women are women, and any statement to the contrary obliterates the identity and dignity of transgender people and goes against all the advice provided by the Professional Health care Association, who has a much richer expertise on the subject than J (Rowling) and me." ”
CNN noted that one could see Rowling's current absence from the Hogwarts lineup as a sign that some things can't be solved by a simple "fix."
Source: iWeekly Weekend Pictorial
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