HARRY Potter movie director Chris Columbus has given his honest verdict on the TV reboot – saying “what’s the point?”
The US filmmaker, 66, is the director behind a string of hit films from Home Alone, Mrs Doubtfire and most recently The Thursday Murder Club.
Chris also directed the first three films in the wizardry franchise.
He shared his reaction to HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter TV series, set for release in 2027.
Chris appeared on Richard Osman and Marina Hyde’s podcast, The Rest Is Entertainment Club and said he’s “not jealous” of the remake and believes remakes of franchises is not the route he’d go down.
Richard asked him: “When you look at people making these big HBO series who can cover every piece of dialogue on every page, are you jealous of that, or do you think that’s less fun?”
Chris replied: “I’m not jealous. I’m so beyond it. I did it. My feeling is, okay, I’ve done that, it’s time to move on.
“I’ve always had issues with the idea of franchise after franchise.
“When we did Gremlins and Goonies and those films, that’s why I never did the second Gremlins film.
“My attitude then was: I’ve done it, it’s time to move on and do something different.
“Same with Potter. I feel like I’ve done it. I’m really proud of those films – the first three that I was involved with and I’m moving on.”
Chris also spoke about the leaked set photos showing a body double playing with an animatronic head playing Hagrid.
He admitted he was flattered that HBO bosses were using the same technique and costume they used in the films, but also said “what’s the point?”
Chris said: “As of yesterday, I saw photographs online of Nick Frost as Hagrid.
“Now, that’s not Nick Frost – that’s presumably still Martin, I don’t remember his last name – a rugby player who played Hagrid with a giant sort of fake rubber Hagrid head that we sometimes replaced with CGI.
“So I’m seeing these photographs of, now it looks like Martin – I could be wrong – wearing a Nick Frost head, walking down the streets of London.
“And he’s wearing the exact same costume that we designed for Hagrid.
“Part of me was like, what’s the point? Part of me was like, okay, great.
“I thought everything was going to be different, but it’s more of the same, which is interesting.
“It’s very flattering for me because that’s exactly the Hagrid costume that we designed.
“So part of it is really exciting – I’m excited to see what they’re going to do with it. But part of it is sort of déjà vu all over again.”
The Sun revealed just days ago that TV bosses have found the new Privet Drive.
The makers of the new series seem to have selected the suburban street in Wavering where the boy wizard grows up with the dastardly Dursleys .
And it’s a very normal road called Springfield Gardens in Upminster.
The street features a number of houses that boast Tudor-style white and black frontages, just like that seen already built on the fake Privet Drive set.
The Sun first revealed images of the mega £1bn Harry Plot outside of Watford.
They have vowed to use as little CGI as possible in creating in the new HBO project.
A source said: “Almost everything can be done on purpose-built sets and sounds stages these days but without CGI and computer wizardry there needs to be some external scenic shots too.
“Springfields Gardens is the double of the street built on the Watford set so looks like it will be used as the real Privet Drive.”
This comes after Nick Frost was spotted filming in London as he completely transformed into Hagrid.
Scenes were shot as London ‘s Borough High Street was turned into magical Diagon Alley after it was taken over by film crews.
New snaps from the set showed a very tall body double walking around in a lifelike Hagrid animatronic head.
Another picture showed Nick, who is normal sized, dressed in Hagrid’s outfit with a thick and bushy wig which hid most of his face.
The new series is also being filmed in a £1billion mini-town — complete with school and medical centre.
Producers continue to pour money into Warner Bros’ rapidly expanding studio complex at Leavesden, just outside Watford, Herts .
It will include new roads, multi-storey car parks and vast hangars to house the sets.
More details of the show which is set to premiere in 2027 have also been revealed – which include the new Weasley family .
HBO took to Instagram sharing a first look at the clan, posting a selfie of some of the actors who are set to bring the beloved redheaded family to life.
Alastair Stout, previously announced as Ron Weasley, is now joined by his four on-screen siblings.
Twins Tristan and Gabriel Harland are set to bring the iconic duo Fred and George Weasley to life.
All whilst Gracie Cochrane who will play youngest daughter Ginny as Ruari Spooner steps into the role of Percy.
